# MAL-2026-6192: Malicious code in nodepathbalance54 (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `nodepathbalance54` (npm)
- **Published:** 19 Jun 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-hrp4-xprg-wqxw

## What is MAL-2026-6192?

MAL-2026-6192 is a malicious package in nodepathbalance54, published on 19 Jun 2026. 

### Official description

nodepathbalance54 exports a single function (`nodeaxionweb`) whose implementation is hidden inside a hand-rolled stack-based JavaScript VM in index.js (functions iL/iw with ~200 opcodes, base64-encoded bytecode chunks in array S). Decoding the VM's constant pool reveals a hardcoded Telegram bot token (8604230339:AAE0jcxBc1QC_YV1Um6TT4bvC0mgZGlhoy4), chat id (-1002861294159), the base URL https://api.telegram.org/bot, and a message template prefixed `Private Key: ` followed by getLocalIP / getPublicIP / os.hostname / platform / arch / ISO timestamp fields, posted via axios.post to /sendMessage. Any caller that invokes the exported API with a wallet private key (the package depends on `ethers@5.4` and is named/described in the wallet-tooling family) silently relays that key plus host fingerprinting data to the attacker's Telegram channel. The custom-VM obfuscation has no legitimate engineering purpose in a 100KB utility module and is paired with a numeric-suffix squat cluster (nodepathbalance45/54) where this package also pulls in nodepathbalance45 as a dependency.

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-2026-6192?

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-2026-6192 is a malicious package: nodepathbalance54 (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-2026-6192/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-6192/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-6192

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-6192/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.