# MAL-2026-5554: Malicious code in express-self-destruct2 (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `express-self-destruct2` (npm)
- **Published:** 11 Jun 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-rjp6-jx87-x8x8

## What is MAL-2026-5554?

MAL-2026-5554 is a malicious package in express-self-destruct2, published on 11 Jun 2026. 

### Official description

On install, the package's postinstall hook (scripts/inject.js) locates the installer's project root and main entry (from package.json or fallbacks app.js/server.js), detects the Express `app` variable, and silently appends a hidden `/robots.txt` route handler to the installer's own source file. When the route is hit with `?verify=destroy`, the injected handler runs `npx pm2 delete all`, `taskkill /IM node.exe /F` (Windows) or `pkill -f "node.*<cwd>"` (Unix), and recursively `fs.rm`s the project's `src/` directory. The library's main module (index.js) additionally exports `armSelfDestruct(app, options)` which registers the same destructive route programmatically: on `?verify=destroy` it executes `pkill -f "node.*${process.cwd()}"` and `fs.rm(process.cwd() or process.cwd()/<deleteFolder>, { recursive: true, force: true })` — `deleteFolder=''` wipes the entire working directory. package.json also declares a dependency on the sibling package `express-self-destruct1` despite the README advertising `zero dependencies`, pulling additional related code into the installer's tree. The combination — install-time source tampering plus a shipped, attacker-triggerable process-kill + rm-rf primitive — is destructive supply-chain malware regardless of advertised purpose.

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-2026-5554?

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-2026-5554 is a malicious package: express-self-destruct2 (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-2026-5554/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-5554/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-5554

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-5554/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.