Malicious code in cache-section-helper (npm)
--- _-= Per source details. Do not edit below this line.=-_ ## Source: amazon-inspector (cad3d2732831e4b798073aff289abd1abdbb718b4caa9e4f970a0dd3f7733653) package.json declares a postinstall hook (`node -e "require('./loader.js')"`) that runs automatically on every `npm install`. loader.js hex-decodes the string `68747470733a2f2f6a736f6e6b65657065722e636f6d2f622f4c34333541` to the URL `https://jsonkeeper.com/b/L435A`, fetches a JSON document from that anonymous paste host, extracts a `manifest.session` field, writes it to a temporary file under `os.tmpdir()/wpc-*/cfg-<ts>.js`, `require()`s it to execute the attacker-supplied JavaScript, then deletes the file to hide traces. The dropper is launched via `spawn(process.execPath, [tmpFile], { detached: true, stdio: 'ignore', cwd: os.tmpdir() }).unref()` so the child Node process outlives the npm install and runs without producing visible output. The package presents itself as a webpack caching helper (class `WebpackCachePlugin` in index.js, a README that instructs `npm install cache-helper` — a different name suggesting impersonation), but the advertised plugin code is trivial; the real behavior is the install-time dropper. Every installer fetches and executes attacker-controlled, mutable, unauthenticated code from a paste host with no integrity verification. ## Source: ghsa-malware (d7b500c1184a1672761308f47bfc568ca655c25f74ae4fad0c56093ce02421ef) 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.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
The 'cache-section-helper' npm package version 1.0.7 declares a postinstall script that runs automatically on every npm install. This script decodes a URL pointing to a JSON document hosted on an anonymous paste service, extracts a JavaScript payload from the JSON, writes it to a temporary file, and executes it in a detached Node.js process. This allows execution of attacker-supplied, mutable, unauthenticated code on the victim system without integrity verification. The package falsely advertises itself as a webpack caching helper but primarily functions as a malicious dropper, potentially leading to full system compromise.
Potential Impact
Any system that installs or runs this package version is at risk of full compromise. The attacker gains the ability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the installing user. All secrets and keys stored on the compromised system should be considered exposed and require immediate rotation. Removing the package alone may not eliminate all malicious artifacts or backdoors installed by the attacker.
Mitigation Recommendations
There is no official patch or fix available for this malicious package. The package should be immediately removed from all affected systems. All credentials and secrets stored on compromised systems must be rotated from a secure, uncompromised environment. Monitor for any suspicious activity indicative of persistent compromise. Avoid installing packages from untrusted or unknown sources and verify package authenticity before installation.
Malicious code in cache-section-helper (npm)
Description
--- _-= Per source details. Do not edit below this line.=-_ ## Source: amazon-inspector (cad3d2732831e4b798073aff289abd1abdbb718b4caa9e4f970a0dd3f7733653) package.json declares a postinstall hook (`node -e "require('./loader.js')"`) that runs automatically on every `npm install`. loader.js hex-decodes the string `68747470733a2f2f6a736f6e6b65657065722e636f6d2f622f4c34333541` to the URL `https://jsonkeeper.com/b/L435A`, fetches a JSON document from that anonymous paste host, extracts a `manifest.session` field, writes it to a temporary file under `os.tmpdir()/wpc-*/cfg-<ts>.js`, `require()`s it to execute the attacker-supplied JavaScript, then deletes the file to hide traces. The dropper is launched via `spawn(process.execPath, [tmpFile], { detached: true, stdio: 'ignore', cwd: os.tmpdir() }).unref()` so the child Node process outlives the npm install and runs without producing visible output. The package presents itself as a webpack caching helper (class `WebpackCachePlugin` in index.js, a README that instructs `npm install cache-helper` — a different name suggesting impersonation), but the advertised plugin code is trivial; the real behavior is the install-time dropper. Every installer fetches and executes attacker-controlled, mutable, unauthenticated code from a paste host with no integrity verification. ## Source: ghsa-malware (d7b500c1184a1672761308f47bfc568ca655c25f74ae4fad0c56093ce02421ef) 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.
Affected software
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AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The 'cache-section-helper' npm package version 1.0.7 declares a postinstall script that runs automatically on every npm install. This script decodes a URL pointing to a JSON document hosted on an anonymous paste service, extracts a JavaScript payload from the JSON, writes it to a temporary file, and executes it in a detached Node.js process. This allows execution of attacker-supplied, mutable, unauthenticated code on the victim system without integrity verification. The package falsely advertises itself as a webpack caching helper but primarily functions as a malicious dropper, potentially leading to full system compromise.
Potential Impact
Any system that installs or runs this package version is at risk of full compromise. The attacker gains the ability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the installing user. All secrets and keys stored on the compromised system should be considered exposed and require immediate rotation. Removing the package alone may not eliminate all malicious artifacts or backdoors installed by the attacker.
Mitigation Recommendations
There is no official patch or fix available for this malicious package. The package should be immediately removed from all affected systems. All credentials and secrets stored on compromised systems must be rotated from a secure, uncompromised environment. Monitor for any suspicious activity indicative of persistent compromise. Avoid installing packages from untrusted or unknown sources and verify package authenticity before installation.
Technical Details
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
- Osv Id
- MAL-2026-5604
- Osv Schema Version
- 1.7.4
- Aliases
- ["GHSA-wg39-m2jm-wxhp"]
- Ecosystems
- ["npm"]
- Database Specific Severity
- null
- Cvss Version
- null
Threat ID: 6a46ece327e9c79719440e15
Added to database: 07/02/2026, 22:57:39 UTC
Last enriched: 07/11/2026, 12:37:34 UTC
Last updated: 07/22/2026, 00:33:38 UTC
Views: 12
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