# MAL-2026-5990: Malicious code in pkg-telemetry-r4f9 (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `pkg-telemetry-r4f9` (npm)
- **Published:** 17 Jun 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-755p-5wm7-4qg5

## What is MAL-2026-5990?

MAL-2026-5990 is a malicious package in pkg-telemetry-r4f9, published on 17 Jun 2026. 

### Official description

On install, package.json's postinstall hook runs node run.js, which loads beacon scripts that combine child_process, os, and http modules to collect host identifiers and send them to a remote endpoint. beacon_linux.js reads os.hostname() and os.platform() and issues an http.request POST carrying that data to a hardcoded host. beacon17.js similarly imports child_process and performs outbound HTTP GETs. The package name ("pkg-telemetry-r4f9" with a random-looking suffix) and its install-time-only behavior are inconsistent with any legitimate library purpose. Installing this package causes automatic, unconsented exfiltration of installer host metadata and provides a remote-execution surface via child_process.

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-2026-5990?

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-2026-5990 is a malicious package: pkg-telemetry-r4f9 (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-2026-5990/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-5990/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-5990

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-5990/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.