subapp-pkg-utilnpm
Advisory published Updated
subapp-pkg-util is a confirmed malicious npm package (MAL-2026-11045) that opens a backdoor for remote access (malicious versions 99.0.0, 99.0.1). Do not install it — remove it immediately and rotate any exposed credentials.
Malicious code in subapp-pkg-util (npm)
What this malware does
package.json declares a postinstall hook that runs index.js on npm install. index.js collects host identifiers (os.hostname(), os.userInfo(), os.platform(), OS release) and enriches them with public IP (via ipify) and geo/ISP (via ipapi.co), then POSTs the JSON payload to a hardcoded Burp Collaborator subdomain at https://dq7q2vt6l79ouvgyzavan3w2rtxkp8gw5.oastify.com/callback. The package self-describes as a dependency-confusion takeover PoC; the beacon fires automatically on install without user interaction.
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.
The OpenSSF Package Analysis project identified 'subapp-pkg-util' @ 99.0.1 (npm) as malicious.
It is considered malicious because:
- The package communicates with a domain associated with malicious activity.
Malicious versions
Indicators of compromise (SHA-256)
Detection & response playbook
Backdoor / remote accessFind it
Search your lockfiles and build artifacts for subapp-pkg-util (2 malicious versions).
If you installed it — respond
subapp-pkg-util 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 subapp-pkg-util 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
- OpenSSF: Package Analysis · finder
Detect & block this
O3 blocks subapp-pkg-util-class packages before install and in CI — and if it already ran, its runtime egress monitoring catches the C2 callback and severs the channel.