runtime-querynpm
Advisory published Updated
runtime-query is a confirmed malicious npm package (MAL-2026-6144) that executes malicious code on install (malicious version 1.6.6). Do not install it — remove it immediately and rotate any exposed credentials.
Malicious code in runtime-query (npm)
What this malware does
On require(), index.js (lines 70-77) fetches JSON from https://jsonkeeper.com/b/CI3HT, extracts the .cookie field from the response, and passes it to new Function.constructor('require', cookie)(require) — compiling and executing attacker-controlled JavaScript with full access to Node's require. jsonkeeper.com is an anonymous, mutable paste host: the operator can swap the payload at any time without republishing the package. Any installer (or downstream package) that imports runtime-query gives the author arbitrary code execution on their machine. The package's metadata (description claims a generic query framework, empty author, no repository/homepage) is a cover story — the only shipped code is the 70-line remote loader.
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 runtime-query (version 1.6.6).
If you installed it — respond
Remove runtime-query 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 runtime-query 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-query-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.