# MAL-2026-4629: Malicious code in openmct-couch-plugin (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `openmct-couch-plugin` (npm)
- **Published:** 22 May 2026

## What is MAL-2026-4629?

MAL-2026-4629 is a malicious package in openmct-couch-plugin, published on 22 May 2026. 

### Official description

On `npm install`, the package's `preinstall` script runs `node index.js` and then `curl`s the output of `hostname && whoami` to `http://8irluql1d21jmq8tr5n5fyoxjopfdd12.oastify.com/nasa/couchrestore/` over plain HTTP. The bundled `index.js` additionally reads `/etc/passwd`, captures `whoami`/`id`, `os.hostname()`, `os.platform()`, `os.userInfo().username`, the current working directory, and the first 30 entries of `process.env`, then HTTPS-POSTs the JSON payload to a second hardcoded Burp Collaborator host (`3nrgzlqwix6erldow0s0kttsojuai36s.oastify.com`). Both endpoints are oastify.com out-of-band-application-security-testing infrastructure used for blind data exfiltration. The package name impersonates NASA's openmct ecosystem (the exfil path `/nasa/couchrestore/` reinforces the lure), the package description falsely claims to be an AWS CDK SageMaker workflow, and the README contains the string 'Takeover By l0bo'. Installer harm is unconditional and fires before any user code runs.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-4629?

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-2026-4629 is a malicious package: openmct-couch-plugin (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-2026-4629/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-4629/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-4629

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-4629/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.