strapi-plugin-hextestnpm
Advisory published Updated
strapi-plugin-hextest is a confirmed malicious npm package (MAL-2026-2466) that steals credentials and exfiltrates sensitive data (malicious version 3.6.8). Do not install it — remove it immediately and rotate any exposed credentials.
Malicious code in strapi-plugin-hextest (npm)
What this malware does
strapi-plugin-hextest is a malicious npm package disguised as a Strapi CMS plugin. On install, it runs a postinstall script that executes an 11-phase attack: stealing .env files, environment variables, Strapi configuration, private keys, Redis data, Docker/Kubernetes secrets, and network topology. It then opens a polling C2 loop that accepts and executes arbitrary shell commands from a remote server.
The package strapi-plugin-hextest was found to contain malicious code.
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 strapi-plugin-hextest (version 3.6.8).
If you installed it — respond
strapi-plugin-hextest 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 strapi-plugin-hextest 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
- SafeDep · finder
Detect & block this
O3 blocks strapi-plugin-hextest-class packages before install and in CI — and if it already ran, its runtime egress monitoring catches the credential exfiltration and severs the channel.