Malicious code in es6-migrator (npm)
Description
The es6-migrator npm package version 1.0.1 contains malicious code that executes during installation. Its preinstall script runs beacon.js, which collects various installer identity fields and exfiltrates them via HTTP requests to a hardcoded IP address and, if that fails, via DNS queries to a controlled domain. This behavior is inconsistent with legitimate telemetry and is designed to bypass egress filtering. The package metadata misleadingly claims to be a 'dependency-confusion proof-of-concept' and 'authorized bug bounty', but these do not legitimize the data exfiltration.
Affected software
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AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The es6-migrator package version 1.0.1 includes a preinstall script that runs beacon.js on npm install. This script collects sensitive installer-side identity information such as hostname, OS username, working directory, and CI provider details. It encodes this data and sends it via plain HTTP GET requests to a hardcoded IP address (http://45.76.249.245) and, if unsuccessful, falls back to DNS-based exfiltration using various DNS record types to the domain asm5.net. The package is identified as a dependency-confusion proof-of-concept, targeting organizations that resolve this package name from the public npm registry, resulting in unintended data leakage during installation. The exfiltration methods and endpoints are inconsistent with legitimate telemetry, and the package's self-labeling does not mitigate the malicious behavior.
Potential Impact
Installation of es6-migrator version 1.0.1 results in unauthorized exfiltration of sensitive environment and identity information from the installer system to attacker-controlled infrastructure. This can lead to exposure of internal hostnames, usernames, directory paths, and CI environment details, potentially aiding further targeted attacks or reconnaissance. The fallback to DNS tunneling allows data exfiltration even in environments with HTTP egress filtering, increasing the risk of unnoticed data leakage.
Mitigation Recommendations
Avoid using or installing es6-migrator version 1.0.1 from the public npm registry. Since no patch or fix is indicated, the recommended action is to remove this package from dependency lists and internal registries. Monitor for any usage of this package and replace it with trusted alternatives. There is no vendor advisory or official fix available; therefore, patch status is not yet confirmed—check vendor or registry advisories for updates. Network egress filtering should be reviewed to detect or block connections to the indicated IP and DNS domains.
Technical Details
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
- Osv Id
- MAL-2026-15553
- Osv Schema Version
- 1.7.4
- Ecosystems
- ["npm"]
Threat ID: 6a92f7d9acd9273b49e75aa8
Added to database: 08/29/2026, 15:16:41 UTC
Last enriched: 09/09/2026, 21:23:39 UTC
Last updated: 10/02/2026, 03:14:56 UTC
Views: 27
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