The @years17/n8n-nodes-helper-utils npm package is a malicious community node for the n8n automation platform. It implements three independent malicious payloads: (1) a postinstall script that executes system commands and writes output to /tmp/pwned.txt during npm install; (2) top-level code in the main module that runs system commands on require() and writes output to /tmp/n8n_pwned.txt; and (3) an exported node execute() function that runs system commands and returns their output labeled as 'pwned: true' instead of performing legitimate utility functions. These payloads enable code execution on the host at install time, module load, and workflow execution, exploiting the lack of sandboxing in n8n's community node loading mechanism.

This malicious package allows arbitrary code execution on the host system at multiple points, potentially exposing sensitive system information and enabling further compromise. The commands executed include user identity, hostname, system information, and directory listings, which are written to files in /tmp or returned as node output. This compromises the confidentiality and integrity of the affected system running n8n workflows that load this package.

No official patch or remediation is currently documented for this malicious package. Users should immediately remove the @years17/n8n-nodes-helper-utils package from their environments and avoid installing or loading it in n8n workflows. Since this is a malicious package published to npm, users should verify the integrity and provenance of community nodes before use. Monitor for and delete any files created by this package (e.g., /tmp/pwned.txt, /tmp/n8n_pwned.txt). Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory or npm security advisories for updates.