# MAL-2026-6496: Malicious code in @dervix/ws (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `@dervix/ws` (npm)
- **Published:** 26 Jun 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-4mc4-4rf2-2cm6

## What is MAL-2026-6496?

MAL-2026-6496 is a malicious package in @dervix/ws, published on 26 Jun 2026. 

### Official description

Package `@dervix/ws` impersonates the popular `ws` WebSocket library — `package.json` copies the legitimate ws project's homepage (`https://github.com/websockets/ws`), repository, and author metadata while publishing under an unrelated scope. `lib/websocket.js` appends ~130KB of heavily obfuscated code after the genuine `socketOnError` function; this payload executes at `require()` time via `index.js`. On import the payload (1) re-spawns the current Node process detached with `stdio:'ignore'` and `windowsHide:true`, gated by an obfuscated marker env var so the parent returns cleanly while a daemonized child continues; (2) constructs an AES-256 key by XOR-combining four hardcoded hex Buffers; (3) issues an HTTPS GET (following 3xx redirects) to an encrypted-in-source URL, streams the response to a file under `os.tmpdir()`, and decrypts it via `createDecipheriv`; (4) `fs.chmodSync(path, 0o755)` and `child_process.spawn(path,...)` with `detached:true` then `unref()`s it. Dynamic `import('child_process')` / `import('path')` is used to defeat static `require` audits, and an `inspector.url()` check short-circuits execution when a debugger is attached. There is no signature verification, no version pinning, and the destination URL is RC4-decoded at runtime so it cannot be inspected statically. Combined with the cloned ws metadata, this is a deliberate typosquat dropper that lands and executes attacker-controlled binary code on any machine that installs and imports the package.

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-2026-6496?

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-2026-6496 is a malicious package: @dervix/ws (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-2026-6496/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-6496/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-6496

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-6496/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.