# MAL-2026-5553: Malicious code in express-self-destruct (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `express-self-destruct` (npm)
- **Published:** 11 Jun 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-wqrx-jfhq-5hx7

## What is MAL-2026-5553?

MAL-2026-5553 is a malicious package in express-self-destruct, published on 11 Jun 2026. 

### Official description

On `npm install`, the package's `postinstall` hook (`node scripts/inject.js`) walks up from the install directory to locate the consumer's project root and identifies their Express entry file (the project's `package.json` `main`, or fallbacks like `index.js` / `app.js` / `server.js`). It then appends a hidden code block to that source file that registers an undocumented `GET /robots.txt` handler on the consumer's Express app. When the handler is reached with the query string `?verify=destroy`, it executes `pkill -f node...` / `taskkill /IM node.exe /F` / `npx pm2 delete all` to terminate Node processes and runs `fs.rm(<projectDir>/src, { recursive: true, force: true })` to recursively delete the project's source tree. The same destructive primitive is also exposed via the package's public API: `index.js` exports `armSelfDestruct(app, options)`, which registers the same remote process-kill + filesystem-wipe endpoint at runtime. Two install-time-destructive properties are present concurrently: (a) install-time mutation of the consumer's own source files to plant a permanent backdoor that survives uninstalling the package, and (b) a remote, unauthenticated kill switch reachable over HTTP once the modified server is running. The package additionally pulls in two same-author scoped runtime dependencies (`@my_name_is_khn/express-security-tool`, `@my_name_is_khn/express-security-tool-v1`) which are auto-installed transitively.

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-2026-5553?

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-2026-5553 is a malicious package: express-self-destruct (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-2026-5553/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-5553/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-5553

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-5553/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.