# MAL-2026-6737: Malicious code in epic-internal-tools (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `epic-internal-tools` (npm)
- **Published:** 2 Jul 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-wx8q-h5p5-9hcf

## What is MAL-2026-6737?

MAL-2026-6737 is a malicious package in epic-internal-tools, published on 2 Jul 2026. 

### Official description

The package.json preinstall script auto-executes on `npm install` and performs installer-side reconnaissance and credential theft. It collects os.hostname(), username, cwd, platform, node version, npm user-agent, and CI indicators (GITHUB_ACTIONS, JENKINS_URL, TEAMCITY_VERSION, HORDE_AGENT), then enumerates process.env and selects up to 30 variables matching credential-shaped patterns (AWS_, GITHUB_, GH_, NPM_, EPIC_, UE_, HORDE_, P4, CI, BUILD, TOKEN, KEY, SECRET). The collected JSON is POSTed over plain HTTP to a hardcoded bare-IP endpoint at http://109.123.247.172/npm/epic_internal_tools. In parallel, it performs a DNS lookup against <host>-<user>.epic_internal_tools.npm.epic-dc.oast.fun, using an interactsh-style out-of-band collector to smuggle host and user identifiers via DNS as a covert channel that bypasses HTTP egress filtering. The package name `epic-internal-tools`, the sentinel version `99999.0.0`, and the Epic/Unreal/Horde/Perforce env-var targeting are the standard dependency-confusion pattern aimed at Epic Games internal build agents. Installing this package on a developer workstation or CI runner ships CI/cloud/registry credentials and host identity to attacker infrastructure.

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.

The OpenSSF Package Analysis project identified 'epic-internal-tools' @ 99999.0.0 (npm) as malicious.

It is considered malicious because:

- The package communicates with a domain associated with malicious activity.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-6737?

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-2026-6737 is a malicious package: epic-internal-tools (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-2026-6737/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-6737/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-6737

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-6737/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.