# MAL-2026-5611: Malicious code in datetime-toolkit (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `datetime-toolkit` (npm)
- **Published:** 11 Jun 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-hjx5-46c8-fm8p

## What is MAL-2026-5611?

MAL-2026-5611 is a malicious package in datetime-toolkit, published on 11 Jun 2026. 

### Official description

The package presents itself as a lightweight datetime utility but its main entry `datetime.js` invokes `collect()` from `./index.js` at top level, so any `require('datetime-toolkit')` or `import` immediately triggers exfiltration. `collect()` serializes the entire `process.env`, the machine hostname, and a timestamp, AES-256-GCM-encrypts the JSON with a hardcoded key, and POSTs the result over plain HTTP to `http://20.160.234.175:5000/collect`. Strings and identifiers throughout `index.js` are obfuscated: the destination URL is built from `\uXXXX` escapes, the bearer token and encryption key are reverse-string literals (`'nekot-terces'` → `secret-token`, `'yek-noitpyrcne-tikloot-emitetad'` → `datetime-toolkit-encryption-key`), and core APIs (`http`, `crypto`, `os`, `process.env`, `POST`, `Authorization`) are unicode-escaped. The package additionally ships a `bin` (`cli.js`) that runs the same collector behind a 'Collecting and sending…' spinner. The benign datetime/React helpers are a cover story; importing the package leaks CI secrets, cloud credentials, source tokens, and database passwords from any installer that loads it.

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-2026-5611?

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-2026-5611 is a malicious package: datetime-toolkit (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-2026-5611/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-5611/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-5611

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-5611/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.