Malicious code in vscode-test-web (npm)
The npm package vscode-test-web version 1.0.0 is a malicious package designed to cause abrupt termination of any host process that imports it by calling process.exit(0). It occupies an unscoped name similar to the legitimate @vscode/test-web package, creating a risk of name confusion. The package does not perform network communication, shell execution, or credential theft, and its metadata states it is a security-research proof-of-concept related to an MSRC bug bounty. Despite the apparent non-malicious intent, the package forcibly terminates processes, which can disrupt builds or workflows that mistakenly depend on it.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
The malicious npm package vscode-test-web (version 1.0.0) impersonates the legitimate @vscode/test-web package by occupying the unscoped name. When required, its index.js prints a banner with system platform and hostname information, then immediately calls process.exit(0), terminating the importing process. The package metadata indicates it is a proof-of-concept for a security research bug bounty report. There is no evidence of network activity, shell command execution, or credential theft. The main impact is abrupt process termination, which can break builds or automation relying on this package. The name confusion risk is significant, but the intent appears non-malicious. However, another source (ghsa-malware) warns that any system with this package installed should be considered fully compromised, recommending secret rotation and removal of the package.
Potential Impact
The package forcibly terminates any process that imports it, causing disruption in build or runtime environments that mistakenly resolve this package instead of the legitimate @vscode/test-web. There is no direct evidence of data exfiltration, credential theft, or remote code execution. However, the forced process exit can cause denial of service in development or CI pipelines. One source claims full system compromise if installed, but the package's own behavior and metadata do not support this claim. The primary impact is operational disruption due to process termination.
Mitigation Recommendations
No official patch or fix is available since this package is a malicious squatting package rather than a vulnerability in legitimate software. The recommended mitigation is to ensure that dependencies correctly reference the scoped legitimate package @vscode/test-web instead of the unscoped vscode-test-web. Remove any instances of the malicious vscode-test-web package from projects and systems. Rotate any secrets or keys if the package was installed, as a precaution. Monitor package dependencies carefully to avoid name confusion attacks. Since this is not a cloud service, remediation is manual.
Malicious code in vscode-test-web (npm)
Description
The npm package vscode-test-web version 1.0.0 is a malicious package designed to cause abrupt termination of any host process that imports it by calling process.exit(0). It occupies an unscoped name similar to the legitimate @vscode/test-web package, creating a risk of name confusion. The package does not perform network communication, shell execution, or credential theft, and its metadata states it is a security-research proof-of-concept related to an MSRC bug bounty. Despite the apparent non-malicious intent, the package forcibly terminates processes, which can disrupt builds or workflows that mistakenly depend on it.
Affected software
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AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The malicious npm package vscode-test-web (version 1.0.0) impersonates the legitimate @vscode/test-web package by occupying the unscoped name. When required, its index.js prints a banner with system platform and hostname information, then immediately calls process.exit(0), terminating the importing process. The package metadata indicates it is a proof-of-concept for a security research bug bounty report. There is no evidence of network activity, shell command execution, or credential theft. The main impact is abrupt process termination, which can break builds or automation relying on this package. The name confusion risk is significant, but the intent appears non-malicious. However, another source (ghsa-malware) warns that any system with this package installed should be considered fully compromised, recommending secret rotation and removal of the package.
Potential Impact
The package forcibly terminates any process that imports it, causing disruption in build or runtime environments that mistakenly resolve this package instead of the legitimate @vscode/test-web. There is no direct evidence of data exfiltration, credential theft, or remote code execution. However, the forced process exit can cause denial of service in development or CI pipelines. One source claims full system compromise if installed, but the package's own behavior and metadata do not support this claim. The primary impact is operational disruption due to process termination.
Mitigation Recommendations
No official patch or fix is available since this package is a malicious squatting package rather than a vulnerability in legitimate software. The recommended mitigation is to ensure that dependencies correctly reference the scoped legitimate package @vscode/test-web instead of the unscoped vscode-test-web. Remove any instances of the malicious vscode-test-web package from projects and systems. Rotate any secrets or keys if the package was installed, as a precaution. Monitor package dependencies carefully to avoid name confusion attacks. Since this is not a cloud service, remediation is manual.
Technical Details
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
- Osv Id
- MAL-2026-6361
- Osv Schema Version
- 1.7.4
- Aliases
- ["GHSA-vxwh-gqjr-fxcw"]
- Ecosystems
- ["npm"]
- Database Specific Severity
- null
- Cvss Version
- null
Threat ID: 6a4f6c7a68715ace4315ae80
Added to database: 07/09/2026, 09:40:10 UTC
Last enriched: 07/09/2026, 10:09:55 UTC
Last updated: 07/26/2026, 20:54:48 UTC
Views: 43
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