MalwarePublished 12 Aug 2026

@years18/n8n-nodes-utils-helper-d (npm) · Malicious Code

Affects @years18/n8n-nodes-utils-helper-dSource GCVE Database

Malicious package : remove @years18/n8n-nodes-utils-helper-d and rotate any secrets on hosts that installed it.

Data as of 12 Aug 2026, 17:02 UTC

Classification

Malicious package

Published to npm · OSV MAL-2026-13850

What to do

Remove @years18/n8n-nodes-utils-helper-d 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@years18/n8n-nodes-utils-helper-d	Affected =1.0.0	Fixed in–

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Description

The npm package @years18/n8n-nodes-utils-helper-d version 1.0.0 contains malicious code executed during installation. The postinstall script downloads and runs a remote Python-based DDoS tool, leaks system identity and network information to an attacker-controlled server, and performs internal network reconnaissance consistent with lateral movement preparation. The malicious payload is also executed when the module is required.

Impact

Successful installation or import of this package results in remote code execution on the host system, unauthorized data exfiltration of system and network information, and internal network reconnaissance that could facilitate further compromise or lateral movement within the victim's environment.

Defensive guidance

Users should immediately avoid installing or using version 1.0.0 of @years18/n8n-nodes-utils-helper-d. Remove the package if already installed and investigate any potential compromise. Monitor for suspicious network activity related to the described attacker-controlled domains and internal network probes. Verify the integrity of dependencies before installation, especially community-contributed npm packages.

Summary

The npm package @years18/n8n-nodes-utils-helper-d (version 1.0.0) masquerades as a community node for n8n but contains a malicious postinstall script (callback.js). This script disables TLS certificate validation to fetch and execute a remote archive containing a Python DDoS tool (mhddos). It also collects and exfiltrates system user and hostname information along with probing an internal TCP endpoint, sending this data encoded to an attacker-controlled URL. Additionally, it attempts to connect to a hardcoded internal IP address on port 8888, consistent with reconnaissance for lateral movement using a known offensive C2 framework (Sliver). The same malicious code is embedded in index.js to ensure execution upon module import.

References

npmjs.com/package/@years18/n8n-nodes-utils-helper-d/v/1.0.0 (opens in a new tab)

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What to do

Affected software

Description

AI analysisMachine-generated, updated 12 Aug 2026, 17:02 UTC

Technical details

References

Community reviews