MalwarePublished 13 Jul 2026Updated 14 Aug 2026

@torbeck/heap (npm) · Malicious Code

Affects @torbeck/heapSource GCVE Database

Malicious package : remove @torbeck/heap and rotate any secrets on hosts that installed it.

Data as of 14 Aug 2026, 19:52 UTC

Classification

Malicious package

Published to npm · OSV MAL-2026-10405

What to do

Remove @torbeck/heap 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
npm@torbeck/heap	Affected =4.3.14 =4.3.11 =4.3.10	Fixed in–

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Description

The @torbeck/heap npm package is a malicious typosquatting package impersonating the legitimate @datastructures-js/heap library. It contains heavily obfuscated code that executes at require-time to download and execute a hidden binary payload on the host system. This payload is platform-specific and runs detached, providing remote code execution (RCE). The package does not verify the downloaded binary's integrity or authenticity, making it a severe security risk. Any system with this package installed should be considered fully compromised.

Impact

Systems that have installed or run @torbeck/heap are fully compromised due to the remote code execution capability of the malicious payload. Attackers gain persistent, stealthy control by downloading and executing arbitrary binaries without user consent. All secrets, credentials, and keys stored on the compromised system should be considered exposed and require immediate rotation. Removing the package alone does not guarantee removal of all malicious artifacts or backdoors introduced by the payload.

Defensive guidance

Immediate removal of the @torbeck/heap package is required. All secrets and credentials on affected systems must be rotated from a trusted environment. Due to the high likelihood of full system compromise, a complete forensic investigation and system rebuild are recommended.

Summary

@torbeck/heap is a malicious npm package designed to impersonate the legitimate @datastructures-js/heap package by copying its README and metadata. It re-exports the genuine Heap class to appear functional but appends an obfuscated payload that triggers on require. This payload decrypts a concealed URL, downloads a binary to the OS temporary directory, sets execution permissions, and spawns the binary detached from the parent process. The binary is platform-specific (Windows, Linux, macOS) and unrelated to heap data structures. There is no signature or version verification on the downloaded payload. This results in an install-time remote code execution dropper, effectively compromising any system that installs or runs this package.

References

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What to do

Affected software

Description

AI analysisMachine-generated, updated 14 Aug 2026, 19:52 UTC

Technical details

References

Community reviews