MalwarePublished 7 Jul 2026Updated 9 Jul 2026

notifier-utils (npm) · Malicious Code

Affects notifier-utilsSource GCVE Database

Malicious package : remove notifier-utils and rotate any secrets on hosts that installed it.

Data as of 10 Jul 2026, 10:04 UTC

Classification

Malicious package

Published to npm · OSV MAL-2026-6923

What to do

Remove notifier-utils 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
npmnotifier-utils	Affected 1.3.7 – 1.4.0 4 affected builds	Fixed in–

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Description

The notifier-utils npm package impersonates the pino logger but contains malicious code that performs remote code execution. When used, it spawns a detached child process that fetches JavaScript code from an attacker-controlled IPFS gateway and executes it with full Node.js privileges. This allows arbitrary code execution with full access to the filesystem, network, and modules. The malicious payload can change dynamically without updating the package, making it highly dangerous. Any system running this package should be considered fully compromised.

Impact

Systems with this package installed or running are fully compromised. The attacker gains arbitrary code execution with full Node.js privileges, including filesystem and network access. All secrets and keys stored on the compromised system should be considered exposed and must be rotated immediately from a secure environment. Removing the package alone does not guarantee removal of all malicious artifacts or backdoors introduced by the attacker.

Defensive guidance

Immediate removal of the notifier-utils package versions 1.3.7, 1.3.8, 1.3.9, and 1.4.0 is required. All secrets and credentials on affected systems must be rotated from a different, uncompromised machine. Due to the nature of the compromise, assume full system compromise and consider rebuilding affected systems from trusted backups or reinstalling the operating system.

Summary

The notifier-utils package (versions 1.3.7, 1.3.8, 1.3.9, and 1.4.0) masquerades as a pino-compatible logger to deceive developers into integrating it. Its exported middleware spawns a detached Node.js process that silently fetches JavaScript code from an IPFS gateway controlled by the attacker. This code is executed with full Node.js privileges via a dynamic Function constructor, enabling arbitrary remote code execution. Because the payload is hosted remotely and mutable, the attacker can change the executed code at any time without requiring a package update. This results in a complete compromise of any system running the package.

References

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What to do

Affected software

Description

AI analysisMachine-generated, updated 10 Jul 2026, 10:04 UTC

Technical details

References

Community reviews