MalwarePublished 13 Jul 2026Updated 19 Aug 2026

hehehee (npm) · Malicious Code

Affects heheheeSource GCVE Database

Malicious package : remove hehehee and rotate any secrets on hosts that installed it.

Data as of 19 Aug 2026, 16:03 UTC

Classification

Malicious package

Published to npm · OSV MAL-2026-10462

What to do

Remove hehehee 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
npmhehehee	Affected =1.0.9	Fixed in–

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Description

The npm package 'hehehee' version 1.0.9 contains malicious code masquerading as a Windows diagnostic and DOM utility. It stealthily injects a hardcoded ChatGPT session token into an Electron session, enabling the package author to capture all screenshots and UI-extracted text sent through ChatGPT. The package also persists on the system by copying an Electron executable to mimic a legitimate Windows system binary and respawns itself with randomized delays, evading termination. It further employs anti-proctoring techniques to avoid detection in exam environments and automatically installs missing native modules without user consent. This behavior constitutes a supply-chain attack that compromises user privacy and system integrity.

Impact

Users installing and running version 1.0.9 of the 'hehehee' npm package risk having their screen content and UI-extracted text silently captured and relayed to a third-party controlled ChatGPT account. The package's persistence mechanism and masquerade as a legitimate Windows system process make detection and removal difficult. The automatic installation of missing native modules without consent can introduce further risk. This results in a severe privacy breach and potential exposure of sensitive information, especially in environments relying on proctoring tools.

Defensive guidance

Users should immediately uninstall the 'hehehee' package version 1.0.9 and avoid using this package from untrusted sources. Review and remove any persisted instances of the 'SearchFilterHost.exe' watchdog process under '%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Diagnostics'. Monitor for suspicious Electron processes masquerading as system binaries. Exercise caution when installing npm packages, especially those with unexpected or inconsistent descriptions.

Summary

The 'hehehee' npm package (version 1.0.9) advertises itself as a Windows diagnostic and high-performance DOM utility but contains a stealth Electron overlay designed to bypass proctoring tools like Safe Exam Browser. It loads a hardcoded '__Secure-next-auth.session-token' JSON Web Encryption token for chatgpt.com and injects it into a persistent Electron session, allowing the attacker to access all user screenshots and UI-extracted text routed through ChatGPT. The package achieves persistence by copying the Electron executable to a file named 'SearchFilterHost.exe' within its node_modules directory, mimicking a legitimate Windows system binary, and runs it as a detached watchdog process with randomized respawn intervals. It also uses anti-capture flags and UI tricks to evade detection and automatically runs 'npm install' for missing native modules without user consent. This combination of deceptive packaging, persistence, stealth, and data exfiltration represents a significant supply-chain compromise.

References

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What to do

Affected software

Description

AI analysisMachine-generated, updated 19 Aug 2026, 16:03 UTC

Technical details

References

Community reviews