# MAL-2026-4823: Malicious code in msc-terminal (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `msc-terminal` (npm)
- **Published:** 25 May 2026

## What is MAL-2026-4823?

MAL-2026-4823 is a malicious package in msc-terminal, published on 25 May 2026. 

### Official description

Part of a multi-package malicious campaign, `msc-terminal` (npm author `nhpkevte1576`) carries the same payload as `eo-terminal` and `logger-draft` — a fully-featured infostealer and remote access trojan (RAT) deployed via a `postinstall` hook. All three packages share the same C2 infrastructure and attack chain.

On installation, the `postinstall` hook copies a large JavaScript agent to a persistent location disguised as `MicrosoftSystem64` and registers it as a system service (systemd on Linux, LaunchAgent on macOS, scheduled task or registry run key on Windows). A sandbox check (CPU count and CPU model string) aborts execution in analysis environments. The install process exits cleanly with `process.exit(0)`, leaving no visible error output.

**C2 infrastructure:** Primary WebSocket/HTTP C2 at `ws://195.201.194.107:8010` (Hetzner Cloud, Germany). Stolen data is also exfiltrated to HuggingFace repository `yszf984308/system-release` via a hardcoded API token.

**Capabilities** (shared with campaign):
- **Keylogger** — keystroke and password capture with offline queuing
- **Clipboard harvesting** — 1,000 ms polling via platform-native tools
- **Screenshot capture and live streaming**
- **Browser credential theft** — Chromium-family and Firefox profile directories
- **Crypto wallet exfiltration** — 20+ desktop wallets
- **SSH backdoor** — exfiltrates SSH keys and injects attacker RSA public key into `authorized_keys`
- **Shell history theft** — 15+ history file formats across all user home directories
- **Environment variable and `.env` file theft** — targets cloud and CI/CD credentials at install time
- **Telegram session theft** — full `tdata/` directory exfiltration
- **Cloud credential theft** — AWS, Azure, GCP, Kubernetes, Docker, GnuPG
- **Recursive filesystem scan** — certificate, key, and wallet files uploaded to HuggingFace
- **Remote command execution** and interactive terminal sessions
- **Self-update** via HuggingFace-hosted native binaries

Cross-platform infostealer/RAT. postinstall installs obfuscated payload.js as 'MicrosoftSystem64' persistence (schtasks/launchctl/systemd). Keylogger w/ password-field detection, 27-wallet drainer, browser+SSH cred exfil, HuggingFace as covert C2.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-4823?

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-2026-4823 is a malicious package: msc-terminal (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-2026-4823/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-4823/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-4823

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-4823/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.