Malicious code in test_adminet (npm)
The npm package 'test_adminet' version 99.9.9 contains malicious code that executes automatically during installation. It runs a preinstall script that collects sensitive system information and files, including local user and host identifiers and contents of /etc/passwd, /etc/hosts, and /etc/shadow. The collected data, including password hashes if run with root privileges, is exfiltrated via a crafted HTTP request to a hardcoded external endpoint. This behavior occurs without user interaction during a standard npm install.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
The 'test_adminet' npm package version 99.9.9 declares a preinstall hook that executes index.js on installation. This script uses child_process.exec to run a curl POST request sending system identifiers (output of whoami, hostname, id) and the base64-encoded contents of sensitive files (/etc/passwd, /etc/hosts, /etc/shadow) in the User-Agent header to a hardcoded webhook.site URL. The attempt to read /etc/shadow aims to harvest local password hashes, which are transmitted off-host if the installation runs with root privileges, such as in CI or Docker environments. This malicious activity triggers automatically on npm install without requiring user interaction.
Potential Impact
Sensitive system information and password hashes can be exfiltrated to an attacker-controlled endpoint during package installation. If the installation is performed with elevated privileges, the attacker gains access to hashed passwords from /etc/shadow, potentially enabling further compromise. This compromises system confidentiality and integrity.
Mitigation Recommendations
No official patch or remediation is currently documented. Users should avoid installing version 99.9.9 of the 'test_adminet' package. Verify package authenticity before installation and consider using trusted package sources or scanning tools to detect malicious code in dependencies. Monitor for updates or advisories from the package maintainers or npm registry regarding remediation.
Malicious code in test_adminet (npm)
Description
The npm package 'test_adminet' version 99.9.9 contains malicious code that executes automatically during installation. It runs a preinstall script that collects sensitive system information and files, including local user and host identifiers and contents of /etc/passwd, /etc/hosts, and /etc/shadow. The collected data, including password hashes if run with root privileges, is exfiltrated via a crafted HTTP request to a hardcoded external endpoint. This behavior occurs without user interaction during a standard npm install.
Affected software
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AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The 'test_adminet' npm package version 99.9.9 declares a preinstall hook that executes index.js on installation. This script uses child_process.exec to run a curl POST request sending system identifiers (output of whoami, hostname, id) and the base64-encoded contents of sensitive files (/etc/passwd, /etc/hosts, /etc/shadow) in the User-Agent header to a hardcoded webhook.site URL. The attempt to read /etc/shadow aims to harvest local password hashes, which are transmitted off-host if the installation runs with root privileges, such as in CI or Docker environments. This malicious activity triggers automatically on npm install without requiring user interaction.
Potential Impact
Sensitive system information and password hashes can be exfiltrated to an attacker-controlled endpoint during package installation. If the installation is performed with elevated privileges, the attacker gains access to hashed passwords from /etc/shadow, potentially enabling further compromise. This compromises system confidentiality and integrity.
Mitigation Recommendations
No official patch or remediation is currently documented. Users should avoid installing version 99.9.9 of the 'test_adminet' package. Verify package authenticity before installation and consider using trusted package sources or scanning tools to detect malicious code in dependencies. Monitor for updates or advisories from the package maintainers or npm registry regarding remediation.
Technical Details
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
- Osv Id
- MAL-2026-10509
- Osv Schema Version
- 1.7.4
- Aliases
- []
- Ecosystems
- ["npm"]
- Database Specific Severity
- null
- Cvss Version
- null
Threat ID: 6a55ff8e68715ace432f4a7d
Added to database: 07/14/2026, 09:21:18 UTC
Last enriched: 07/14/2026, 09:48:09 UTC
Last updated: 07/22/2026, 20:21:20 UTC
Views: 9
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