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Malicious package

node-request-utilsnpm

Advisory published Updated

node-request-utils is a confirmed malicious npm package (MAL-2026-15632) that executes malicious code on install (malicious version 1.0.0). Do not install it — remove it immediately and rotate any exposed credentials.

Malicious code in node-request-utils (npm)

MAL-2026-15632
Immediate action
Remove the package, then rotate any secrets the build/runtime could reach.
npm uninstall node-request-utils

What this malware does

On npm install, package.json's postinstall runs index.js, which on Windows hosts downloads a JavaScript payload from https://limbomail.com/api/attachment/l4TIRPOsaUxR._603-vhKDRdgKl3RalN_TVUZYGPsJy2Y/all.js (TLS verification disabled), writes it as winsvc.js under APPDATA, and executes it via wscript/node. The dropper installs multiple Windows persistence mechanisms — HKCU Run key, UserInitMprLogonScript, a scheduled task at \Microsoft\Windows\Shell\WinSvcHost, and a Startup folder.lnk pointing at a hidden VBS launcher — and re-checks the remote URL for updated payloads roughly every two hours. The install path uses -EncodedCommand PowerShell (UTF-16LE base64) with hidden-window flags and an AMSI bypass via amsiInitFailed reflection, and aborts on CI environments, low-CPU/low-memory hosts, and hostnames/usernames matching sandbox keywords (sandbox|virus|malware|sample|analysis|cuckoo|anyrun|hybrid) to evade analysis. index.js additionally sets Hidden/System file attributes on its dropped artifacts.

Malicious versions

1 flagged
1.0.0

Indicators of compromise (SHA-256)

0832f8d4554223aaaf958a5f008faa621b29c39f428c4fb042c084c05c4c7cef

Detection & response playbook

Malicious package
  1. Find it

    Search your lockfiles and build artifacts for node-request-utils (version 1.0.0).

  2. If you installed it — respond

    Remove node-request-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.

  3. Did it already run?

    If node-request-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

No. node-request-utils on npm has been identified as a malicious package (version 1.0.0 flagged). It should be removed immediately — do not install or keep it in your dependency tree.

Campaign

IN-MAL-2026-019303

References

Credits

  • Amazon Inspector · finder

Detect & block this

O3 blocks node-request-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.

Explore

node-request-utils (npm) malicious package — MAL-2026-15632 | O3 Security