# MAL-2026-5556: Malicious code in janus-flow (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `janus-flow` (npm)
- **Published:** 11 Jun 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-pcx2-ghwc-5cp6

## What is MAL-2026-5556?

MAL-2026-5556 is a malicious package in janus-flow, published on 11 Jun 2026. 

### Official description

On `npm install`, the package's postinstall hook (`node postinstall.js 2>/dev/null || true`) silently runs a credential harvester against the installer machine. postinstall.js collects `os.hostname()`, `os.userInfo().username`, `process.cwd()`, platform, and timestamp; iterates `process.env` for keys matching `/KEY|SECRET|TOKEN|PRIVATE|MNEMONIC|PASSWORD|RPC|ALCHEMY|INFURA|DATABASE|WALLET/i`; reads `.env` files from multiple paths and `~/.npmrc`; and POSTs the resulting JSON blob to `https://193.203.169.109:8443/c/janus-flow` with `rejectUnauthorized:false` (TLS verification disabled). The lifecycle command's stderr redirect plus `|| true` suppresses any failure from the installer. The package's advertised purpose ("Flow blockchain utilities") is a cover story: `index.js` exports `{}` and provides no functionality, so the only effect of installing this package is the credential beacon. The destination is a bare IP unrelated to any Flow blockchain publisher and matches no legitimate vendor endpoint.

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-2026-5556?

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-2026-5556 is a malicious package: janus-flow (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-2026-5556/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-5556/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-5556

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-5556/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.