The malicious package @shiftmarkets/[email protected] includes a postinstall script 'node dist/recon.js' that runs automatically during npm install. This script gathers detailed system and environment information such as hostname, user details, local IPv4 addresses, DNS domain, CI environment indicators, and environment variables filtered for potential secrets. It then sends this information as a JSON payload over plain HTTP to a hardcoded IP address (http://138.68.108.20:80/cb). The package provides a minimal API-compatible stub to mimic the legitimate shift-sdk-v4 package, consistent with a dependency confusion attack vector targeting users who mistakenly install this malicious package from an internal or public registry.

The malicious postinstall script can leak sensitive environment information, including credential-like environment variables and internal network topology, to an attacker-controlled server. This exposure can facilitate further attacks such as credential theft, internal network reconnaissance, and compromise of CI/CD pipelines or developer machines. The use of plain HTTP for data exfiltration increases the risk of interception or detection but does not mitigate the initial data leak.

No official patch or remediation is currently documented for this malicious package version. Users should avoid installing @shiftmarkets/shift-sdk-v4 version 1.0.77 from untrusted sources. Verify package integrity and source before installation, and consider using package allowlists or internal registries with strict controls. Monitor for unexpected postinstall scripts in dependencies and audit environment variables for exposure. If this package has been installed, investigate potential data exposure and consider rotating any credentials that may have been leaked.