MalwarePublished 30 May 2026Updated 8 Jul 2026

buffer-utilities (npm) · Malicious Code

Affects buffer-utilitiesSource GCVE Database

Malicious package : remove buffer-utilities and rotate any secrets on hosts that installed it.

Data as of 9 Jul 2026, 10:08 UTC

Classification

Malicious package

Published to npm · OSV MAL-2026-5087

What to do

Remove buffer-utilities from every project, lockfile and image that pulls it in. Treat any host that installed it as compromised: rotate the credentials, tokens and keys it could read, from a clean machine.

Affected software

Product	Affected	Fixed in
npmbuffer-utilities	Affected =1.0.0 =1.1.1 =1.1.0	Fixed in–

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Description

The npm package 'buffer-utilities' impersonates the legitimate 'buffer' package by copying its metadata and advertises itself as a Node.js Buffer API for browsers. Upon being required, it fetches and executes JavaScript code from a mutable external JSON paste service (jsonkeeper.com) using eval(), allowing remote code execution with full process privileges. This behavior enables an attacker controlling the paste to execute arbitrary code on any system importing this package. The package versions 1.0.0, 1.1.0, and 1.1.1 are affected. Removal of the package is recommended, but full system compromise is possible, so secrets and keys should be rotated immediately from a separate trusted environment.

Impact

Any system that imports the 'buffer-utilities' package versions 1.0.0, 1.1.0, or 1.1.1 is at risk of full compromise. The package executes arbitrary JavaScript code fetched from a remote mutable source with full process privileges, potentially allowing attackers to execute any commands, steal secrets, or take complete control of the system. The compromise includes risk to all secrets and keys stored on the affected system, which should be considered exposed.

Defensive guidance

Remove the 'buffer-utilities' package immediately from all affected systems. Rotate all secrets, keys, and credentials that were stored or accessible on the compromised systems from a separate, trusted environment. Because the package enables full system compromise, assume the system may be persistently compromised and consider rebuilding or thoroughly investigating the affected hosts.

Summary

The 'buffer-utilities' npm package (versions 1.0.0, 1.1.0, and 1.1.1) is a malicious package that impersonates the legitimate 'buffer' package by copying its metadata. It contains code that, when imported, base64-decodes a URL pointing to a mutable JSON paste on jsonkeeper.com and fetches JavaScript code from this URL. The fetched code is then executed via eval(), allowing an attacker who controls the paste to run arbitrary code with full privileges on the host system. This design enables dynamic and stealthy remote code execution without any version bump or package update. The package is considered fully compromising any system where it is installed or running.

References

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What to do

Affected software

Description

AI analysisMachine-generated, updated 9 Jul 2026, 10:08 UTC

Technical details

References

Community reviews