path-stream-utils-testmetestnpm
Advisory published Updated
path-stream-utils-testmetest is a confirmed malicious npm package (MAL-2026-18333) that executes malicious code on install (malicious versions 0.0.1, 0.0.2, 0.0.3…). Do not install it — remove it immediately and rotate any exposed credentials.
Malicious code in path-stream-utils-testmetest (npm)
What this malware does
The package self-describes as a 'Temporary package placeholder for staged publishing' (package.json stub:true, README 'Temporary Holding Version') but ships a Linux addon.node, a Windows.node, and a 6,052,359-byte opaque.napi_cache blob containing no printable strings. package.json defines a postinstall that executes node -e "require('./addon.node').init()", and index.js requires and invokes the same init(). On invocation the native addon reads the sibling.napi_cache file (format string '%s/.napi_cache'), writes the bytes to a PID-named hidden file under /tmp (format '/tmp/.%u'), chmods it executable, and detaches a child via fork+setsid+execlp, so the opaque payload runs under the installer's user on npm install and on every require() of the package. Before executing the dropped file the addon enumerates CI and sandbox indicators (GITHUB_ACTIONS, GITLAB_CI, TRAVIS, CIRCLECI, SANDBOX, JENKINS_URL, BUILDKITE, CODEBUILD_BUILD_ID, APPVEYOR, SEMAPHORE, TEAMCITY_VERSION, BITBUCKET_BUILD_NUMBER, NETLIFY, VERCEL, CF_BUILD_ID, SCREWDRIVER), reads /proc/1/cgroup and /proc/1/cmdline for container markers (docker, containerd, kubepod, sandbox, podman), and inspects /proc/self/status for TracerPid, gating execution to non-analysis hosts. The payload bytes themselves are packed/encrypted and not inspectable from the tarball. A placeholder stub has no legitimate reason to ship a native dropper, detach a hidden /tmp child, and evade sandboxes.
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
Search your lockfiles and build artifacts for path-stream-utils-testmetest (4 malicious versions).
If you installed it — respond
Remove path-stream-utils-testmetest 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 path-stream-utils-testmetest 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 path-stream-utils-testmetest-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.