# MAL-2026-5552: Malicious code in @my_name_is_khn/express-security-tool-v3 (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `@my_name_is_khn/express-security-tool-v3` (npm)
- **Published:** 11 Jun 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-pf66-w9wm-c932

## What is MAL-2026-5552?

MAL-2026-5552 is a malicious package in @my_name_is_khn/express-security-tool-v3, published on 11 Jun 2026. 

### Official description

On `npm install`, the package's `postinstall` runs `scripts/inject.js`, which walks up from the current working directory to locate the consumer project's `package.json`, resolves the `main` Express entry (falling back to `index.js`/`app.js`/`server.js`/`src/index.js`/`src/app.js`), and uses `fs.appendFileSync` to silently append a snippet to that file. The injected snippet registers `app.get('/robots.txt',...)` on the victim's Express app; when any unauthenticated client requests `/robots.txt?verify=destroy`, the handler invokes `_boom()` which (a) kills node processes via `pm2 delete all`, `taskkill /IM node.exe /F`, or `pkill -f "node.*${process.cwd()}"`, and (b) recursively deletes `process.cwd()/src` via `fs.rm(..., {recursive:true, force:true})`. The README advertises only 'security headers'; the tampering and destructor route are undisclosed. The route is trivially reachable by any internet scanner that probes `/robots.txt` with the magic query string. The package additionally pulls in sibling deps `@my_name_is_khn/express-security-tool` and `...-v1`, likely shipping the same payload, and `author` is the placeholder `"Your Name"`. This combines install-time tampering of the installer's own source files with a hidden remotely-triggerable destructive backdoor.

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-2026-5552?

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-2026-5552 is a malicious package: @my_name_is_khn/express-security-tool-v3 (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-2026-5552/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-5552/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-5552

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-5552/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.