envparse3npm
Advisory published Updated
envparse3 is a confirmed malicious npm package (MAL-2026-16395) that steals credentials and exfiltrates sensitive data (malicious version 1.0.1). Do not install it — remove it immediately and rotate any exposed credentials.
Malicious code in envparse3 (npm)
What this malware does
On require('envparse3'), the package's main entrypoint invokes a top-level function (dispatchAnalytics) that reads a bundled image dist/stest.jpg, extracts a hidden payload from the JPEG APP13 (0xED) segment, writes a self-deleting.vbs file to the OS temp directory, and spawns wscript.exe which launches powershell.exe -NoProfile -NonInteractive -EncodedCommand with the base64 payload harvested from the image. The same loader is reachable via the bin CLI dot2env (dist/cli.cjs), which also re-requires the main module and re-triggers the loader. Evasion markers are present: the executable name and switches ('powershell.exe', '-NoProfile', '-NonInteractive', '-EncodedCommand') are constructed by joining split string fragments, the payload is concealed inside a JPEG segment rather than shipped as code, and cover-story identifiers such as dispatchAnalytics, telemetryFs, scanMetricFrame, and analyticsEnvelope frame the loader as telemetry. The bundle in dist/cli.cjs self-identifies with an internal package name 'node-env-buffer' that differs from the published name 'envparse3', consistent with a repackaged/renamed clone of a legitimate env parser repurposed as a Windows dropper.
Any computer that has this package installed or running should be considered fully compromised. All secrets and keys stored on that computer should be rotated immediately from a different computer. The package should be removed, but as full control of the computer may have been given to an outside entity, there is no guarantee that removing the package will remove all malicious software resulting from installing it.
Malicious versions
Indicators of compromise (SHA-256)
Detection & response playbook
Credential / info stealerFind it
Search your lockfiles and build artifacts for envparse3 (version 1.0.1).
If you installed it — respond
envparse3 is built to steal secrets, so assume every credential the build or runtime could read is compromised. Remove it from your project and lockfile, then rotate ALL exposed secrets — npm/registry tokens, cloud keys, CI/CD secrets, SSH keys, and any .env values — from a known-clean machine. Audit logs for unauthorized use of those credentials.
Did it already run?
If envparse3 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 envparse3-class packages before install and in CI — and if it already ran, its runtime egress monitoring catches the credential exfiltration and severs the channel.