# MAL-2026-5343: Malicious code in progerss-cli (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `progerss-cli` (npm)
- **Published:** 9 Jun 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-pr99-g8pf-f3rr

## What is MAL-2026-5343?

MAL-2026-5343 is a malicious package in progerss-cli, published on 9 Jun 2026. 

### Official description

`progerss-cli` is a typosquat of the popular `cli-progress` package that ships an obfuscated payload executed automatically on install.

The package borrows trust from its victim: `repository.url` is set to `https://github.com/npkgz/cli-progress` — the legitimate cli-progress project's own repository — and the author field is set to `andidittrich` (the real maintainer).

`package.json` defines `scripts.postinstall`: `node build-helper.js`, and declares `form-data` as its only runtime dependency (used for exfiltration).

**build-helper.js (load gate):** polls up to 31 times at 1.5 s intervals for `form-data` to resolve (`require.resolve('form-data')`), then `require('./index.js')`. This delays payload execution until the exfiltration dependency is fully installed, evading naive install-time analysis that runs before dependencies settle.

**index.js:** a ~273 KB obfuscated payload that performs data collection and `form-data`-based HTTP exfiltration.

Package name 'progerss-cli' resembles the common spelling 'progress-cli' via a two-character transposition, which is a typical typosquat shape. No exfiltration, dropper, credential access, or other installer-harm behavior was observed in the scanned files, and no lifecycle scripts were identified. Without a confirmed payload, name similarity alone is not sufficient to block, but the naming pattern warrants human review to assess intent and impact on installers who mistype a target package name.

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.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-5343?

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-2026-5343 is a malicious package: progerss-cli (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-2026-5343/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-5343/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-5343

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-5343/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.