preferred-import (npm) · Malicious Code
Affects preferred-importSource GCVE Database
Malicious package : remove preferred-import and rotate any secrets on hosts that installed it.
Data as of 29 Oct 2026, 23:05 UTC
Malicious package
Published to npm · OSV MAL-2025-49034
What to do
Remove preferred-import 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 |
|---|---|---|
| npmpreferred-import | Affected
| Fixed in– |
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Description
The npm package 'preferred-import' version 9.9.0 contains malicious code that installs a dependency from a custom domain which executes an information stealer during installation. This malware targets sensitive tokens related to npm, git, and CI/CD environments. Any system with this package installed should be considered fully compromised, and all secrets and keys must be rotated from a different, clean system. Removing the package alone may not eliminate the malicious presence due to potential full system compromise.