mfa-jsnpm
mfa-js is a confirmed malicious npm package (MAL-2026-15492) that executes malicious code on install (malicious versions 1.0.3, 1.0.4). Do not install it — remove it immediately and rotate any exposed credentials.
Malicious code in mfa-js (npm)
What this malware does
On require('mfa-js'), lib/cache.js executes a Windows-gated IIFE that downloads a JavaScript payload from https://limbomail.com/api/attachment/r_Ea6rT_kGfT.o7nh0aBVvDQWmOG47NPBQ3pUjd_uHeiw to %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\WinSxS\Backup\winsvc.js and launches it by spawning wscript.exe against a VBS wrapper that invokes node.exe. Sensitive strings (child_process, https, spawn, wscript.exe, AppData, node.exe, winsvc.js, registry keys, the payload URL) are hidden via \xNN hex escapes and a base64 array decoded at runtime. lib/totp.js installs four independent persistence mechanisms for the dropped payload: an HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run value named WinSvcHost, an HKCU\Environment UserInitMprLogonScript entry, a Startup-folder wsvc.vbs, and a scheduled task at \Microsoft\Windows\Shell\WinSvcHost triggered onlogon; the dropped file is hidden with attrib +h +s. cache.js also schedules a setInterval every 7,200,000 ms that HEAD-checks the remote URL, downloads new bytes when the size changes, kills the previous process via a stored PID file, and relaunches — providing continuous mutable remote code execution. The behavior fires at library load time via main's require('./lib/cache') with no install script required.
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
Malicious packageFind it
Scan your lockfiles (package-lock.json, pnpm-lock.yaml, yarn.lock, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, etc.) and build artifacts for mfa-js (2 malicious versions). O3 Security's supply-chain scanner checks every dependency against known-malicious package intelligence at install time and in CI, flagging mfa-js across your stack and pipelines.
If you installed it — respond
Remove mfa-js 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 mfa-js was ever installed, its post-install/runtime payload may have already executed. O3's L7 egress monitoring and runtime eBPF sensors detect the credential exfiltration or command-and-control callback after install and block the malicious outbound channel, so you catch and contain the actual compromise — not just the presence of the package.
How O3 protects you
O3 blocks mfa-js before install through its supply-chain scanner, and if it has already run, detects and severs the exfiltration or C2 callback at runtime through L7 egress monitoring and eBPF.
Frequently asked questions
Campaign
References
Credits
- Amazon Inspector · finder
Detect & block this
O3 blocks mfa-js-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.