@chunklab/hexparse
This report shows the evidence for @chunklab/hexparse@1.1.7. 5 of 5 known versions are blocked or flagged. See all versions.
OpenSSF/OSV Malicious Advisory
imported 4mo ago · by OpenSSF/OSVOpenSSF/OSV advisory MAL-2026-6214 confirms this npm version as malicious.
Advisory
MAL-2026-6214
Source
OpenSSF Malicious Packages via OSV
Summary
Malicious code in @chunklab/hexparse (npm)
Details
Package advertises itself as a small hex/base64/endianness codec library, but every exported encode/decode function (encodeHex, decodeHex, encodeBase64,...) invokes `_runPrepare()` from `script/prelude.cjs` (and `esm/prelude.mjs`), a ~277 KB obfuscator.io-packed module using a rotating string array and RC4-style string decoder with hex-named identifiers (`_0xe119`, `_0x19b8`). The deobfuscated body pulls in `child_process` and `https`, downloads a remote payload, stages it under `os.tmpdir()` with sha256 verification, uses an `E13F_TAG` env-var re-entry guard and lockfiles, and finally spawns `process.execPath` on the downloaded file. Any consumer that imports the package and calls its advertised API silently fetches and executes attacker-controlled code on the installer's machine. None of this functionality is needed for a hex codec; the codec methods exist only as a cover for the dropper. The package also impersonates an unrelated upstream project: `package.json` `repository.url`, `bugs.url`, and `homepage` all point to `github.com/levischuck/tiny-encodings`, while the package is published under the `@chunklab` scope by author `chunklab <chunklab@pm.me>` and the obfuscated `prelude.cjs`/`prelude.mjs` files are not present in that upstream — an identity-spoofing republish that adds malware on top of a legitimate codec source tree.
## Source: ghsa-malware (d2599103382b495124b7bd7490e46caeaf79daa82df6217a65ec7ec114356065) 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.
Source & flagged code
0 flagged · loading sourceNo flagged code excerpts are attached to this scan.
Findings
1 High
HighOsv Malicious Advisory
Affected versions and remediation
This report applies to @chunklab/hexparse@1.1.7.
The same advisory and Firewall decision cover 5 recorded versions
1.0.7, 1.1.4, 1.1.5, 1.1.6, 1.1.7
The versions list below shows the verdict for each recorded version.
- Avoid installing @chunklab/hexparse@1.1.7. Remove it from direct dependencies and check your lockfile for transitive copies.
- Choose an independently verified alternative or release. This report does not establish that other versions are safe.
- If this version ran, investigate the affected machine and build environment. Rotate credentials it could access and rebuild from a trusted environment.
Evidence last updated: .
Source advisory published: .
This report uses published external intelligence. The advisory does not provide a separate source-code analysis for each listed version.
Think this verdict is wrong? Dispute it on GitHub or read how reports are produced.