# MAL-2026-4650: Malicious code in pubnub-moderation-tool (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `pubnub-moderation-tool` (npm)
- **Published:** 21 May 2026

## What is MAL-2026-4650?

MAL-2026-4650 is a malicious package in pubnub-moderation-tool, published on 21 May 2026. 

### Official description

package.json declares "preinstall": "node index.js", causing index.js to run automatically on npm install. The script collects os.hostname(), os.userInfo(), home directory, DNS server list, package metadata, and the contents of /etc/passwd and /etc/hosts, then HTTPS-POSTs the resulting JSON to vdcz3c5tmurvu7cqdfk9s524wv2nqee3.oastify.com — a Burp Collaborator subdomain used as an out-of-band exfiltration sink. The package contains no functionality matching its declared name; metadata fields (author, description) are empty and the package name impersonates PubNub branding, consistent with dependency-confusion / typosquat bait. Installing this package leaks installer host identity and local system files to an attacker on every install.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-4650?

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-2026-4650 is a malicious package: pubnub-moderation-tool (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-2026-4650/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-4650/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-4650

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-4650/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.