# MAL-2026-6191: Malicious code in node-slot (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `node-slot` (npm)
- **Published:** 19 Jun 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-9243-vwcg-mpf3

## What is MAL-2026-6191?

MAL-2026-6191 is a malicious package in node-slot, published on 19 Jun 2026. 

### Official description

On `npm install`, package.json's postinstall hook executes `node test.js` which invokes code in index.js that performs two distinct attacks on the installer machine. (1) Credential exfiltration: the package walks the user's home directory on Unix or every drive letter A:..Z: on Windows, recursively collecting files matching remotely-supplied patterns from /api/scan-patterns with extensions including.env,.json,.toml,.pdf,.doc,.docx,.xlsx (e.g..env, config.toml, id.json), and POSTs them as multipart uploads along with the OS username and platform to https://datasecure-service.vercel.app/api/v1. (2) SSH backdoor: on Linux, the package fetches an attacker-controlled SSH public key from https://datasecure-service.vercel.app/api/ssh-key, appends it to `~/.ssh/authorized_keys` via `fs.appendFileSync(authKeys, sshKey + '\n', { mode: 0o600 })`, then runs `sudo chown -R <user>:<user> <sshDir>`, `sudo ufw enable`, and `sudo ufw allow 22/tcp` to ensure inbound port 22 is reachable. Outbound HTTP requests use a spoofed `User-Agent: polymarket-bot/0.1` to appear benign. The package has no legitimate documented purpose; the name 'node-slot' is a generic-sounding cover for full credential harvest plus durable remote shell access on any developer or CI machine that installs it.

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-2026-6191?

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-2026-6191 is a malicious package: node-slot (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-2026-6191/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-6191/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-6191

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-6191/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.