MalwarePublished 22 Oct 2026Updated 29 Oct 2026

imgdecode (npm) · Malicious Code

Affects imgdecodeSource GCVE Database

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

Data as of 29 Oct 2026, 14:18 UTC

Classification

Malicious package

Published to npm · OSV MAL-2026-18196

What to do

Remove imgdecode 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
npmimgdecode	Affected 1.0.0 – 1.0.3 4 affected builds	Fixed in–

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Description

The npm package 'imgdecode' versions 1.0.0 through 1.0.3 contains malicious code disguised as a native image buffer decoder. It includes a packed and obfuscated Windows PE binary that executes native code immediately upon module load on Windows x64 hosts. The package's JavaScript interface does not match its advertised API, indicating it is a facade for delivering malicious payloads. Any system with this package installed should be considered fully compromised, and all secrets and keys on that system should be rotated from a separate, clean device.

Impact

Systems that have installed or run this package are considered fully compromised. The malicious native code executes with the privileges of the Node.js process, potentially allowing attackers full control over the host system. This compromises all secrets, keys, and sensitive data stored on the affected computer. Removal of the package alone does not guarantee eradication of the malicious payload or persistence mechanisms.

Defensive guidance

Immediate removal of the 'imgdecode' package is required. All secrets, keys, and credentials stored on the compromised system should be rotated from a separate, trusted device. Due to the high likelihood of full system compromise, a thorough incident response and system reimaging or restoration from a known good backup is recommended.

Summary

The 'imgdecode' npm package (versions 1.0.0 to 1.0.3) masquerades as a native image decoder but actually delivers a packed and obfuscated Windows PE binary that executes native code immediately when required on Windows x64 platforms. The JavaScript stub exports a load() function returning null, inconsistent with the documented exec(cmd, args) API, indicating deceptive behavior. The packed binary contains obfuscated Windows API name fragments and lacks normal Node-API registration symbols, characteristic of malicious native code droppers. On non-Windows platforms, the package loads code from a sibling dependency 'imgbundle', which may also be malicious. The package is identified as a dependency-forwarder combined with a native code dropper rather than a legitimate library.

References

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What to do

Affected software

Description

AI analysisMachine-generated, updated 29 Oct 2026, 14:18 UTC

Technical details

References

Community reviews