MAL-2026-6363 Malicious code in npmkekw (npm)

Malicious package Published
Package
npmkekw
Registry
npm

What is MAL-2026-6363?

MAL-2026-6363 is a malicious package in npmkekw, published on 24 Jun 2026.

Official description

The package's main module (index.js) exports an init() function that spawns /bin/bash via child_process.exec and opens a TCP socket to the hardcoded remote address 49.13.148.41:443, piping the shell's stdio through the socket — a textbook reverse-shell backdoor giving the operator at that IP interactive command execution on any host that calls init(). Package metadata is consistent with a throwaway attack vehicle: empty description, empty author, non-descriptive name npmkekw, and no other functional code. The payload as shipped contains a typo (references an undefined sh variable and pipes from cp.stdout) so it crashes on first use, but the intent and structure are unambiguous and a one-character fix would make it functional.

What should I do about MAL-2026-6363?

Remove the package from your dependencies and lockfiles, then rotate any secrets on machines where it was installed.

Sources

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