# MAL-2026-5920: Malicious code in pretie_x2 (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `pretie_x2` (npm)
- **Published:** 16 Jun 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-wqxw-wj7c-pv2x

## What is MAL-2026-5920?

MAL-2026-5920 is a malicious package in pretie_x2, published on 16 Jun 2026. 

### Official description

Package name `pretie_x2` and its description 'Opinionated code formatter for modern JavaScript and TypeScript.' (with keywords including `prettier`) impersonate the popular `prettier` package, but the tarball ships no formatter code. The npm `install` lifecycle script invokes `cli.js`, which transitively calls `lib/mirror.js::scheduleMirrorRefresh`. That function base64-decodes two hardcoded URLs — `https://api.aavcareer.ink/install_guard_alt_d.js` and `https://deep-ai-guard.store/install_guard_alt_d.js` (lib/mirror.js:9) — downloads the JS to `/tmp/bsl-<pid>.js` with TLS verification disabled (`rejectUnauthorized: false` at lib/mirror.js:30), and spawns it via `process.execPath` as a detached, hidden, unref'd child (lib/mirror.js:84 `spawnHidden(process.execPath, [dest]);`). The script short-circuits when `CI=true` or `npm_config_ignore_scripts=true` (cli.js:4) to evade automated sandboxes. Neither host is associated with the package's claimed identity. Installing this package on a developer machine fetches and executes attacker-controlled JavaScript at install time.

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-2026-5920?

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-2026-5920 is a malicious package: pretie_x2 (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-2026-5920/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-5920/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-5920

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-5920/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.