MAL-2026-6196 Malicious code in build-tracker-n5p1 (npm)
- Package
- build-tracker-n5p1
- Registry
- npm
What is MAL-2026-6196?
MAL-2026-6196 is a malicious package in build-tracker-n5p1, published on 19 Jun 2026.
Official description
Package name suggests build telemetry tooling, but the tarball ships beacon scripts (beacon18.js, beacon_linux.js) wired to a postinstall lifecycle hook ("postinstall": "node run.js" in package.json line 9). On install, these scripts collect host identifiers via os.hostname()/os.platform() and child_process, then issue outbound HTTP GET/POST requests via http.request from the installer's machine. This combination — auto-execute on install, host fingerprinting, and outbound HTTP exfiltration — is a classic install-time host beacon / data-exfiltration pattern. There is no legitimate build-tracking reason to fingerprint the host and beacon out at install time without consent or configuration.
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-2026-6196?
Remove the package from your dependencies and lockfiles, then rotate any secrets on machines where it was installed.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-chqj-php6-8x6m.