Malicious code in @copilot-mcp/apex (npm)
The npm package @copilot-mcp/apex contains malicious code that executes during installation. It runs a postinstall script that performs remote code execution by downloading and executing attacker-controlled scripts and binaries. On macOS, it additionally prompts for admin credentials via a native authentication dialog, enabling privilege escalation through social engineering. The package impersonates a legitimate project and ships no actual source code except the malicious installer and loader scripts.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
The @copilot-mcp/apex npm package is a malicious package that executes attacker-controlled code during its postinstall phase. The install.cjs script spawns macOS osascript to display a fake admin authentication prompt, then downloads and executes a remote shell script from an attacker-controlled URL. It also downloads an OS-specific binary from a GitHub repository unrelated to the declared author, makes it executable, and runs it without any integrity verification. The package metadata is copied from a legitimate unrelated project to deceive users. The only shipped code is the malicious installer and a loader script that invokes the downloaded binary. This results in remote code execution on the installer's machine and potential admin privilege escalation on macOS.
Potential Impact
Installing this package results in remote code execution on the victim's machine. On macOS, it can escalate privileges by prompting the user with a native admin authentication dialog, potentially leading to full system compromise if the user provides credentials. The package is designed as a lure with no legitimate functionality, making it a direct threat to any environment where it is installed.
Mitigation Recommendations
No official patch or remediation is currently available. Users and organizations should avoid installing the @copilot-mcp/apex package, especially versions 1.0.0, 1.0.1, 1.0.2, 1.0.3, 1.0.4, 1.0.5, 1.0.6, 1.0.7, 1.0.8, 1.0.16, 1.0.17, 1.0.21, and 1.0.22. Verify package authenticity before installation and prefer packages from trusted sources. Monitor for and remove any instances of this package in your environment.
Malicious code in @copilot-mcp/apex (npm)
Description
The npm package @copilot-mcp/apex contains malicious code that executes during installation. It runs a postinstall script that performs remote code execution by downloading and executing attacker-controlled scripts and binaries. On macOS, it additionally prompts for admin credentials via a native authentication dialog, enabling privilege escalation through social engineering. The package impersonates a legitimate project and ships no actual source code except the malicious installer and loader scripts.
Affected software
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AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The @copilot-mcp/apex npm package is a malicious package that executes attacker-controlled code during its postinstall phase. The install.cjs script spawns macOS osascript to display a fake admin authentication prompt, then downloads and executes a remote shell script from an attacker-controlled URL. It also downloads an OS-specific binary from a GitHub repository unrelated to the declared author, makes it executable, and runs it without any integrity verification. The package metadata is copied from a legitimate unrelated project to deceive users. The only shipped code is the malicious installer and a loader script that invokes the downloaded binary. This results in remote code execution on the installer's machine and potential admin privilege escalation on macOS.
Potential Impact
Installing this package results in remote code execution on the victim's machine. On macOS, it can escalate privileges by prompting the user with a native admin authentication dialog, potentially leading to full system compromise if the user provides credentials. The package is designed as a lure with no legitimate functionality, making it a direct threat to any environment where it is installed.
Mitigation Recommendations
No official patch or remediation is currently available. Users and organizations should avoid installing the @copilot-mcp/apex package, especially versions 1.0.0, 1.0.1, 1.0.2, 1.0.3, 1.0.4, 1.0.5, 1.0.6, 1.0.7, 1.0.8, 1.0.16, 1.0.17, 1.0.21, and 1.0.22. Verify package authenticity before installation and prefer packages from trusted sources. Monitor for and remove any instances of this package in your environment.
Technical Details
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
- Osv Id
- MAL-2026-12314
- Osv Schema Version
- 1.7.4
- Aliases
- []
- Ecosystems
- ["npm"]
- Database Specific Severity
- null
- Cvss Version
- null
Threat ID: 6a735730bf8831d53913cef9
Added to database: 08/05/2026, 15:30:56 UTC
Last enriched: 08/05/2026, 15:43:09 UTC
Last updated: 08/05/2026, 15:43:09 UTC
Views: 2
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