Malicious code in node-denv (npm)
--- _-= Per source details. Do not edit below this line.=-_ ## Source: amazon-inspector (1b0701ad772209918c78eb4d038cce43946517f3558cbec1988c121c115a641d) node-denv presents itself as a pino-compatible logging middleware (index.js exports `module.exports.pino = middleware` and mimics pino's option shape including DEFAULT_LEVELS, formatters.bindings, redact, and customLevels). When a consumer instantiates the middleware, the package spawns a detached `node lib/caller.js` child process. lib/caller.js performs an HTTPS GET against https://jsonkeeper.com/b/EXSIF, reads the `.cookie` field from the JSON response, and passes it to `new Function.constructor("require", s)` invoked with the real `require` — granting the remotely-fetched JavaScript full Node.js capabilities (filesystem, network, child_process, env). The fetch is retried up to 5 times. A second jsonkeeper.com payload URL (https://jsonkeeper.com/b/ZK45J) is base64-encoded as `DEV_API_KEY` in lib/const.js as a fallback C2. jsonkeeper.com is an anonymous mutable JSON paste host — the attacker can change the executed payload at any time without republishing the package. The pino impersonation lures developers searching for the popular logger into installing this package, at which point any normal use triggers remote code execution on the installer's machine. ## Source: ghsa-malware (39fd50e1c53ebcbf807d385f8a99cca3d059175cf50b3819571029c812e719fb) Any computer that has this package installed or running should be considered fully compromised. All secrets and keys stored on that computer should be rotated immediately from a different computer. The package should be removed, but as full control of the computer may have been given to an outside entity, there is no guarantee that removing the package will remove all malicious software resulting from installing it.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
node-denv version 1.3.5 is a malicious npm package masquerading as a pino-compatible logging middleware. Upon use, it spawns a detached child process that fetches JavaScript code from a remote JSON paste service (jsonkeeper.com). This code is executed with full Node.js capabilities, including filesystem and network access, enabling remote code execution. The attacker can update the payload dynamically without republishing the package. This results in a fully compromised host where secrets and keys may be exposed or stolen.
Potential Impact
Any system with node-denv version 1.3.5 installed or running is considered fully compromised. The attacker gains full control over the host environment, including access to filesystem, network, environment variables, and the ability to execute arbitrary commands. This can lead to theft of secrets, credentials, and further malware installation. The compromise is persistent and dynamic due to the remote payload fetch mechanism.
Mitigation Recommendations
No official patch or fix is available. The affected package (node-denv version 1.3.5) should be immediately removed from all systems. All secrets, keys, and credentials stored on compromised machines must be rotated from a different, trusted environment. Due to the nature of the compromise, full system reimaging or forensic analysis is recommended to ensure complete removal of malicious artifacts.
Malicious code in node-denv (npm)
Description
--- _-= Per source details. Do not edit below this line.=-_ ## Source: amazon-inspector (1b0701ad772209918c78eb4d038cce43946517f3558cbec1988c121c115a641d) node-denv presents itself as a pino-compatible logging middleware (index.js exports `module.exports.pino = middleware` and mimics pino's option shape including DEFAULT_LEVELS, formatters.bindings, redact, and customLevels). When a consumer instantiates the middleware, the package spawns a detached `node lib/caller.js` child process. lib/caller.js performs an HTTPS GET against https://jsonkeeper.com/b/EXSIF, reads the `.cookie` field from the JSON response, and passes it to `new Function.constructor("require", s)` invoked with the real `require` — granting the remotely-fetched JavaScript full Node.js capabilities (filesystem, network, child_process, env). The fetch is retried up to 5 times. A second jsonkeeper.com payload URL (https://jsonkeeper.com/b/ZK45J) is base64-encoded as `DEV_API_KEY` in lib/const.js as a fallback C2. jsonkeeper.com is an anonymous mutable JSON paste host — the attacker can change the executed payload at any time without republishing the package. The pino impersonation lures developers searching for the popular logger into installing this package, at which point any normal use triggers remote code execution on the installer's machine. ## Source: ghsa-malware (39fd50e1c53ebcbf807d385f8a99cca3d059175cf50b3819571029c812e719fb) Any computer that has this package installed or running should be considered fully compromised. All secrets and keys stored on that computer should be rotated immediately from a different computer. The package should be removed, but as full control of the computer may have been given to an outside entity, there is no guarantee that removing the package will remove all malicious software resulting from installing it.
Affected software
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AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
node-denv version 1.3.5 is a malicious npm package masquerading as a pino-compatible logging middleware. Upon use, it spawns a detached child process that fetches JavaScript code from a remote JSON paste service (jsonkeeper.com). This code is executed with full Node.js capabilities, including filesystem and network access, enabling remote code execution. The attacker can update the payload dynamically without republishing the package. This results in a fully compromised host where secrets and keys may be exposed or stolen.
Potential Impact
Any system with node-denv version 1.3.5 installed or running is considered fully compromised. The attacker gains full control over the host environment, including access to filesystem, network, environment variables, and the ability to execute arbitrary commands. This can lead to theft of secrets, credentials, and further malware installation. The compromise is persistent and dynamic due to the remote payload fetch mechanism.
Mitigation Recommendations
No official patch or fix is available. The affected package (node-denv version 1.3.5) should be immediately removed from all systems. All secrets, keys, and credentials stored on compromised machines must be rotated from a different, trusted environment. Due to the nature of the compromise, full system reimaging or forensic analysis is recommended to ensure complete removal of malicious artifacts.
Technical Details
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
- Osv Id
- MAL-2026-5734
- Osv Schema Version
- 1.7.4
- Aliases
- ["GHSA-8mfj-gmpr-xqqr"]
- Ecosystems
- ["npm"]
- Database Specific Severity
- null
- Cvss Version
- null
Threat ID: 6a42ed2627e9c7971993458c
Added to database: 06/29/2026, 22:09:42 UTC
Last enriched: 07/11/2026, 12:35:21 UTC
Last updated: 07/28/2026, 14:59:37 UTC
Views: 20
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