What does the hd-key-generator malware do?

hd-key-generator is a typosquat of the `hdkey` package. On require(), index.js reads process.env, os.hostname(), os.userInfo().username, the user's home directory, platform, cwd, and package metadata, JSON-serializes and base64-encodes the payload, then issues an HTTPS GET to a hardcoded Telegram Bot API endpoint (api.telegram.org/bot /sendMessage) with chat_id=8969499041. A tmp marker file is used to gate repeat sends. If the real `hdkey` package is present, it is re-exported to preserve apparent functionality; otherwise stub functions are returned. The full process.env dump captures any secrets the installer's shell or CI has exported (AWS_*, GITHUB_TOKEN, NPM_TOKEN, database credent

Which versions of hd-key-generator are malicious?

The following npm versions of hd-key-generator are flagged malicious: 1.6.3. Treat any of these as compromised.

How do I remediate hd-key-generator if I installed it?

hd-key-generator 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.

I already installed hd-key-generator — how do I know if it already compromised me?

If hd-key-generator 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.

Is hd-key-generator part of a known attack campaign?

Yes — hd-key-generator is associated with the IN-MAL-2026-015786 campaign. Packages in the same campaign often share infrastructure and payloads, so check whether any related packages are also in your dependency tree.

How do I find hd-key-generator across my projects, lockfiles, and CI pipelines?

Search your lockfiles and build artifacts for hd-key-generator (version 1.6.3).

Malicious package

hd-key-generatornpm

Advisory published Aug 5, 2026Updated Aug 5, 2026

hd-key-generator is a confirmed malicious npm package (MAL-2026-13345) that steals credentials and exfiltrates sensitive data (malicious version 1.6.3). Do not install it — remove it immediately and rotate any exposed credentials.

Malicious code in hd-key-generator (npm)

MAL-2026-13345

Immediate action

Remove the package, then rotate any secrets the build/runtime could reach.

npm uninstall hd-key-generator

What this malware does

hd-key-generator is a typosquat of the hdkey package. On require(), index.js reads process.env, os.hostname(), os.userInfo().username, the user's home directory, platform, cwd, and package metadata, JSON-serializes and base64-encodes the payload, then issues an HTTPS GET to a hardcoded Telegram Bot API endpoint (api.telegram.org/bot<token>/sendMessage) with chat_id=8969499041. A tmp marker file is used to gate repeat sends. If the real hdkey package is present, it is re-exported to preserve apparent functionality; otherwise stub functions are returned. The full process.env dump captures any secrets the installer's shell or CI has exported (AWS_*, GITHUB_TOKEN, NPM_TOKEN, database credentials, and similar).

Malicious versions

1 flagged

1.6.3

Indicators of compromise (SHA-256)

3a102f1d05a0bd89af765e457c2b5d6121ec831d33549d0cbf9795d58b0d3ee6

Detection & response playbook

Credential / info stealer

Find it
Search your lockfiles and build artifacts for hd-key-generator (version 1.6.3).
If you installed it — respond
hd-key-generator 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 hd-key-generator 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

No. hd-key-generator on npm has been identified as a malicious package (version 1.6.3 flagged). It should be removed immediately — do not install or keep it in your dependency tree.

Campaign

IN-MAL-2026-015786

References

npmjs.com

Credits

Amazon Inspector · finder

Detect & block this

O3 blocks hd-key-generator-class packages before install and in CI — and if it already ran, its runtime egress monitoring catches the credential exfiltration and severs the channel.

Malware detection Runtime egress monitoring

Explore

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