cbr-internal-utilsnpm
Advisory published Updated
cbr-internal-utils is a confirmed malicious npm package (MAL-2026-10530) that executes malicious code on install (malicious version 2.2.2). Do not install it — remove it immediately and rotate any exposed credentials.
Malicious code in cbr-internal-utils (npm)
What this malware does
On module load, the package's main entrypoint shells out via child_process.exec to run cat /etc/passwd and prints the contents to stdout. This fires unconditionally when any consumer require()s the package — no user action or configuration is needed. The package has an internal-sounding name and empty author/description metadata, consistent with a dependency-confusion probe or reconnaissance payload rather than a legitimate library. Reading /etc/passwd serves no library purpose and enumerates local user accounts on the installer's host.
Malicious versions
Indicators of compromise (SHA-256)
Detection & response playbook
Malicious packageFind it
Search your lockfiles and build artifacts for cbr-internal-utils (version 2.2.2).
If you installed it — respond
Remove cbr-internal-utils from your project and lockfile, then assume any secrets accessible to the build or runtime were exposed: rotate API keys, tokens, and credentials, and audit for unexpected outbound activity or persistence.
Did it already run?
If cbr-internal-utils was installed, its post-install payload may already have run. Removing the package does not undo that — check outbound connections and credential use from the install window onward.
Frequently asked questions
Campaign
References
Credits
- Amazon Inspector · finder
Detect & block this
O3 blocks cbr-internal-utils-class packages before install and in CI — and if it already ran, its runtime egress monitoring catches the malicious outbound activity and severs the channel.