MalwarePublished 17 Jun 2026Updated 9 Jul 2026

sort-btree (npm) · Malicious Code

Affects sort-btreeSource GCVE Database

Malicious package : remove sort-btree and rotate any secrets on hosts that installed it.

Data as of 10 Jul 2026, 10:08 UTC

Classification

Malicious package

Published to npm · OSV MAL-2026-6063

What to do

Remove sort-btree 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
npmsort-btree	Affected =2.1.6 =2.2.0	Fixed in–

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Description

The npm package 'sort-btree' versions 2.1.6 and 2.2.0 contain malicious code. Analysis detected suspicious keywords related to child process execution and HTTP tokens in minified files, but no confirmed evidence of network exfiltration or attacker-controlled endpoints was found. Despite this, the package is considered fully compromising any system where it is installed or running. Immediate removal of the package and rotation of all secrets and keys from a separate, uncompromised system is advised.

Impact

Any computer with the affected versions of 'sort-btree' installed or running is considered fully compromised. This implies that attackers may have gained full control over the system, potentially exposing all stored secrets and keys. Removal of the package alone does not guarantee elimination of all malicious software introduced by it.

Defensive guidance

Remove the 'sort-btree' package versions 2.1.6 and 2.2.0 immediately from all affected systems. Rotate all secrets and keys stored on compromised machines from a separate, trusted system. Because full system compromise is possible, further forensic analysis and remediation may be necessary.

Summary

The 'sort-btree' npm package versions 2.1.6 and 2.2.0 have been identified as malicious. Static analysis found patterns in minified JavaScript files that include references to child process spawning and HTTP-related tokens, which may indicate malicious behavior. However, no direct evidence of runtime execution of these capabilities, network communication, or command and control infrastructure was confirmed. The package masquerades as a B+ tree data structure library but is flagged as a malicious package that compromises the host system. Due to the potential for full system compromise, any system with this package installed should be treated as compromised.

References

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What to do

Affected software

Description

AI analysisMachine-generated, updated 10 Jul 2026, 10:08 UTC

Technical details

References

Community reviews