# MAL-2026-6484: Malicious code in random-string-64 (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `random-string-64` (npm)
- **Published:** 25 Jun 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-jp8q-gmj4-fx77

## What is MAL-2026-6484?

MAL-2026-6484 is a malicious package in random-string-64, published on 25 Jun 2026. 

### Official description

The package advertises itself as a 5-line random-string generator, but index.js (the declared main) contains a hardcoded AES-256-CBC ciphertext blob that is decrypted with a sha256-derived key and passed to `globalThis.eval`. The `eval` identifier is hidden by storing the strings ['error','vertex','length','delta','alphabetic'] and reconstructing the function name from the first letter of each entry ('e','v','a','l'). Execution is gated by node-env-detector checks (isCI / isNpmBot / isContainer / isVirtualMachineLikely): on automated/sandboxed hosts the package only logs a benign message, while on real developer workstations the decrypted JavaScript is executed when the exported `getUniqueID(64)` function is called. Any consumer that imports random-string-64 and invokes its documented API on a developer machine runs attacker-controlled code with the privileges of the calling process. The combination of opaque encrypted payload, eval-identifier obfuscation, and explicit anti-analysis gating is unambiguous supply-chain attack shape.

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-2026-6484?

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-2026-6484 is a malicious package: random-string-64 (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-2026-6484/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-6484/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-6484

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-6484/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.