Malicious code in grafeno-core (npm)
Description
The npm package 'grafeno-core' versions 1.0.0 and 1.0.1 contains malicious code executed during the preinstall lifecycle. This code fetches and runs a shell script from an attacker-controlled HTTP server, modifies user shell initialization files to persist execution, and installs a cron job to repeatedly execute the malicious payload every 30 minutes. The package's advertised entry point has no real functionality, indicating the preinstall script is the primary malicious component.
Affected software
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AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The 'grafeno-core' npm package (versions 1.0.0 and 1.0.1) includes a preinstall script that downloads and executes a shell script from a remote IP address over plain HTTP. This script is appended to ~/.bashrc and ~/.profile to maintain persistence and a cron job is installed to re-execute the payload every 30 minutes, ensuring ongoing unauthorized access. The package's main code is a stub, with the preinstall script constituting the entire malicious payload.
Potential Impact
Systems installing 'grafeno-core' versions 1.0.0 or 1.0.1 will execute attacker-controlled code with the privileges of the installing user. This leads to persistent unauthorized access through shell profile modifications and scheduled tasks, potentially allowing further compromise or control of the host environment.
Mitigation Recommendations
No official patch or remediation is indicated in the provided data. Users should avoid installing 'grafeno-core' versions 1.0.0 and 1.0.1. If already installed, remove the package, clean the ~/.bashrc and ~/.profile files of the malicious entries, and delete the malicious cron job. Monitor for any signs of compromise and consider rebuilding affected systems. Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance.
Technical Details
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
- Osv Id
- MAL-2026-15505
- Osv Schema Version
- 1.7.4
- Ecosystems
- ["npm"]
Threat ID: 6a92f7d9acd9273b49e75a7c
Added to database: 08/29/2026, 15:16:41 UTC
Last enriched: 09/09/2026, 21:38:05 UTC
Last updated: 10/01/2026, 22:26:57 UTC
Views: 46
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