# MAL-2026-5852: Malicious code in richtext-editor-ui (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `richtext-editor-ui` (npm)
- **Published:** 15 Jun 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-fgqx-cjm6-75x2

## What is MAL-2026-5852?

MAL-2026-5852 is a malicious package in richtext-editor-ui, published on 15 Jun 2026. 

### Official description

On `npm install`, postinstall.js base64-decodes a hardcoded URL (https://www.jsonkeeper.com/b/7EBZP), fetches its body via axios, and pipes the response into a detached, unref'd `node` child process through stdin — running arbitrary attacker-supplied JavaScript on the installer's machine without consent. The URL constant is misleadingly named `DEV_API_KEY` to disguise its purpose, and jsonkeeper.com is an anonymous mutable paste host where the served payload can be changed at any time. The package metadata also does not match its name: description, keywords (`lambda`, `publish`, `compose`, `modular`), and an index.js error message referencing 'theta' indicate the package is a lure published under a richtext-editor-shaped name to attract installs unrelated to its real behavior.

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-2026-5852?

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-2026-5852 is a malicious package: richtext-editor-ui (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-2026-5852/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-5852/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-5852

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-5852/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.