runtime-metrics-w7k2npm
Advisory published Updated
runtime-metrics-w7k2 is a confirmed malicious npm package (MAL-2026-5992) that steals credentials and exfiltrates sensitive data (malicious version 1.0.0). Do not install it — remove it immediately and rotate any exposed credentials.
Malicious code in runtime-metrics-w7k2 (npm)
What this malware does
Package declares a postinstall hook ("postinstall": "node run.js") that fires automatically on npm install. The tarball ships beacon scripts (beacon18.js, beacon_linux.js) that import child_process, os, and http, read host identifiers via os.hostname() / os.platform(), and issue outbound HTTP GET/POST requests carrying that data. The combination — automatic install-time execution, host enumeration, child_process reachability, and unsolicited outbound HTTP from an unknown low-reputation package named with a random suffix — matches a host-beacon / exfiltration shape with no legitimate library purpose. Installing this package on a developer or CI machine causes immediate disclosure of host metadata to an external endpoint and provides the publisher a foothold for follow-on commands.
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
Credential / info stealerFind it
Search your lockfiles and build artifacts for runtime-metrics-w7k2 (version 1.0.0).
If you installed it — respond
runtime-metrics-w7k2 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 runtime-metrics-w7k2 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 runtime-metrics-w7k2-class packages before install and in CI — and if it already ran, its runtime egress monitoring catches the credential exfiltration and severs the channel.