# MAL-2026-5521: Malicious code in @helpcentre/tesco-help (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `@helpcentre/tesco-help` (npm)
- **Published:** 10 Jun 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-5cff-qhhv-cxxw

## What is MAL-2026-5521?

MAL-2026-5521 is a malicious package in @helpcentre/tesco-help, published on 10 Jun 2026. 

### Official description

On `npm install`, the postinstall hook runs `node index.js`, which performs an HTTPS POST to `https://f1ackavab3.execute-api.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/` carrying the installer's hostname (`os.hostname()`) and current working directory (`process.cwd()`) as JSON. The package has no other functionality. The scoped name `@helpcentre/tesco-help` targets a Tesco-branded internal namespace, and the inflated `999.0.0` version is the canonical dependency-confusion technique used to override a private package of the same name when an installer's registry config falls back to public npm. Installers who resolve this package leak host-identifying reconnaissance data to an attacker-controlled API Gateway endpoint, enabling targeted follow-on attacks against the affected build environment.

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-2026-5521?

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-2026-5521 is a malicious package: @helpcentre/tesco-help (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-2026-5521/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-5521/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-5521

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-5521/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.