# MAL-2026-4616: Malicious code in muaddib-scanner (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `muaddib-scanner` (npm)
- **Published:** 25 May 2026

## What is MAL-2026-4616?

MAL-2026-4616 is a malicious package in muaddib-scanner, published on 25 May 2026. 

### Official description

package.json declares `"loadash": "^1.0.0"` as a runtime dependency. `loadash` is a well-known typosquat of `lodash` and is never required or imported anywhere in this package's source — the dependency is unused by the scanner itself. Every installer of this package pulls `loadash@^1.0.0` into their node_modules transitively, executing whatever code that namesquat ships. The remaining static signals on this package (curl/ping/POST/child_process/https patterns across `src/scanner/`, `src/ioc/`, `src/rules/`, `src/ml/`, `src/sandbox/`) are consistent with the package's stated purpose (a supply-chain security scanner that inspects other packages' lifecycle scripts, fetches package metadata from `registry.npmjs.org`, and analyzes IOC patterns like `curl http://evil.com` as data); literal strings like `curl http://evil.com` and `$(whoami)` appear as detection rule examples, not as executed commands. The block is on the namespace-abuse vector — a security tool has no legitimate reason to ship an unused typosquat dependency, and installers should not silently acquire it.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-4616?

Remove the package from your dependencies and lockfiles, then rotate any secrets on machines where it was installed.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
MAL-2026-4616 is a malicious package: muaddib-scanner (npm). Every version was published to cause harm.

Task:
1. Search this repository's dependency manifests and lockfiles for the package, including transitive dependencies.
2. If it is present, remove it, regenerate the lockfile with the project's package manager, and replace whatever it was used for.
3. List any CI runners, developer machines or containers that installed it, so their secrets can be rotated.
4. If the package is not used anywhere, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-4616/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-4616/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-4616

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-4616/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.