format-defaultsnpm
Advisory published Updated
format-defaults is a confirmed malicious npm package (MAL-2026-959) that executes malicious code on install. Do not install it — remove it immediately and rotate any exposed credentials.
Malicious code in format-defaults (npm)
What this malware does
The package format-defaults was found to contain malicious code.
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
Every published version of this package is considered malicious — remove it entirely.
Indicators of compromise (SHA-256)
Detection & response playbook
Malicious packageFind it
Search your lockfiles and build artifacts for format-defaults (all published versions).
If you installed it — respond
Remove format-defaults 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 format-defaults 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 format-defaults-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.