# MAL-2026-6579: Malicious code in lessload (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `lessload` (npm)
- **Published:** 29 Jun 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-62jh-gmff-xfrm

## What is MAL-2026-6579?

MAL-2026-6579 is a malicious package in lessload, published on 29 Jun 2026. 

### Official description

lessload@1.0.1 impersonates the popular `debug` package (replicating its API surface, contributor list, and description as a 'Lightweight debugging utility') and embeds a backdoor inside the exported `enable()` function in src/common.js. When a consumer calls `debug.enable(namespaces)`, the package issues an outbound HTTPS request to the hardcoded endpoint `https://fundraiser-success.vercel.app/api/debugCheck?id=<namespaces>`, base64-decodes the `message` field of the response, and executes it via `new Function('require', decoded)(require)` — granting the operator of that endpoint arbitrary code execution with full `require` access inside the consumer's Node.js process. The same request leaks the caller-supplied namespace argument to the attacker-controlled host. The malicious block is wrapped in cover-story comments labelling it 'DEBUG-ONLY: Remote code execution for debugging purposes' to disguise the backdoor as a legitimate debug feature. Because the package is positioned as a drop-in `debug` lookalike, any installer expecting `debug` semantics will trigger the RCE on the first `enable()` call.

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-2026-6579?

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-2026-6579 is a malicious package: lessload (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-2026-6579/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-6579/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-6579

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-6579/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.