Malicious code in subsearch (npm)
--- _-= Per source details. Do not edit below this line.=-_ ## Source: amazon-inspector (04245cd013e6aa9edb766cf14249c9dd6abd19d6beb9671c22a1a8bbbff3d511) The package's main entry `index.js` is the only file of substance and is wrapped in obfuscator.io string-array + RC4 obfuscation that hides every literal (module names, URL octets, exec arguments). On require(), the deobfuscated code assembles a bare-IP HTTP URL by concatenating four octets via `.concat('.')`, performs an HTTP GET, writes the response body into `os.tmpdir()` via `fs.writeFileSync(path.join(os.tmpdir(), <name>), I.data, {flag:'w+'})`, and immediately executes the dropped file with `child_process.exec(..., {windowsHide:true, cwd: os.tmpdir()})`. `process.on('uncaughtException',...)` is registered to suppress errors. `package.json` has empty description, empty author, no repository, no homepage — the package advertises no functionality; its only effect on import is the dropper. The bare-IP destination has no TLS, no pinning, and no signature verification, so the attacker can swap the executed payload at any time. ## Source: ghsa-malware (6d135b4daa11056ea232c298415f7b256c1df8446f0537ba896480ea152e18dd) 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
The 'subsearch' npm package (versions 1.0.2 and 1.0.3) includes obfuscated code that, when required, dynamically constructs a bare-IP HTTP URL, downloads a payload without TLS or signature verification, writes it to the OS temporary directory, and executes it with hidden windows on Windows systems. The package suppresses uncaught exceptions to hide errors and has no declared metadata or repository information, indicating it is a malicious dropper. This behavior effectively grants remote code execution capabilities to an attacker controlling the payload server.
Potential Impact
Any system that installs or runs the affected versions of the 'subsearch' package is at risk of full compromise. The attacker can execute arbitrary code remotely, potentially gaining complete control over the system. All secrets and keys stored on the compromised system should be considered exposed and must be rotated immediately from a secure environment. Removal of the package does not guarantee elimination of all malicious artifacts or backdoors installed by the payload.
Mitigation Recommendations
No official patch or fix is available. Immediate removal of the 'subsearch' package versions 1.0.2 and 1.0.3 is strongly recommended. Systems suspected of having this package installed should be treated as fully compromised, and all credentials and secrets should be rotated from a trusted environment. Monitor for any signs of persistent malicious activity and consider rebuilding affected systems to ensure full remediation.
Malicious code in subsearch (npm)
Description
--- _-= Per source details. Do not edit below this line.=-_ ## Source: amazon-inspector (04245cd013e6aa9edb766cf14249c9dd6abd19d6beb9671c22a1a8bbbff3d511) The package's main entry `index.js` is the only file of substance and is wrapped in obfuscator.io string-array + RC4 obfuscation that hides every literal (module names, URL octets, exec arguments). On require(), the deobfuscated code assembles a bare-IP HTTP URL by concatenating four octets via `.concat('.')`, performs an HTTP GET, writes the response body into `os.tmpdir()` via `fs.writeFileSync(path.join(os.tmpdir(), <name>), I.data, {flag:'w+'})`, and immediately executes the dropped file with `child_process.exec(..., {windowsHide:true, cwd: os.tmpdir()})`. `process.on('uncaughtException',...)` is registered to suppress errors. `package.json` has empty description, empty author, no repository, no homepage — the package advertises no functionality; its only effect on import is the dropper. The bare-IP destination has no TLS, no pinning, and no signature verification, so the attacker can swap the executed payload at any time. ## Source: ghsa-malware (6d135b4daa11056ea232c298415f7b256c1df8446f0537ba896480ea152e18dd) 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
The 'subsearch' npm package (versions 1.0.2 and 1.0.3) includes obfuscated code that, when required, dynamically constructs a bare-IP HTTP URL, downloads a payload without TLS or signature verification, writes it to the OS temporary directory, and executes it with hidden windows on Windows systems. The package suppresses uncaught exceptions to hide errors and has no declared metadata or repository information, indicating it is a malicious dropper. This behavior effectively grants remote code execution capabilities to an attacker controlling the payload server.
Potential Impact
Any system that installs or runs the affected versions of the 'subsearch' package is at risk of full compromise. The attacker can execute arbitrary code remotely, potentially gaining complete control over the system. All secrets and keys stored on the compromised system should be considered exposed and must be rotated immediately from a secure environment. Removal of the package does not guarantee elimination of all malicious artifacts or backdoors installed by the payload.
Mitigation Recommendations
No official patch or fix is available. Immediate removal of the 'subsearch' package versions 1.0.2 and 1.0.3 is strongly recommended. Systems suspected of having this package installed should be treated as fully compromised, and all credentials and secrets should be rotated from a trusted environment. Monitor for any signs of persistent malicious activity and consider rebuilding affected systems to ensure full remediation.
Technical Details
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
- Osv Id
- MAL-2026-6457
- Osv Schema Version
- 1.7.4
- Aliases
- ["GHSA-45mm-476v-v2pf"]
- Ecosystems
- ["npm"]
- Database Specific Severity
- null
- Cvss Version
- null
Threat ID: 6a4c340d27e9c797195f719b
Added to database: 07/06/2026, 23:02:37 UTC
Last enriched: 07/06/2026, 23:17:28 UTC
Last updated: 07/18/2026, 17:27:21 UTC
Views: 7
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