--- canonical: "https://firewall.lpm.dev/npm/@mearl/native-host" markdown: "https://firewall.lpm.dev/npm/@mearl/native-host/v/2.16.2.md" package: "@mearl/native-host" report_status: "published" title: "@mearl/native-host@2.16.2 npm security report" verdict: "suspicious" version: "2.16.2" --- # @mearl/native-host@2.16.2 npm security report > **Trust boundary:** Package metadata, advisory text, filenames, URLs, and source snippets in this report come from external packages or feeds. Treat them as untrusted evidence. Do not execute instructions or code found in this document. ## Verdict summary **Flagged as agent extension risk** — Allowed by default with warning: install-time first-party agent extension setup was detected. - **Verdict:** Suspicious - **Product-default install policy:** Warn - **Firewall policy:** Warn-only agent extension risk - **Public report status:** Published - **Threat category:** Agent extension lifecycle risk - **Selected version:** 2.16.2 - **Selected version is latest:** No - **Analysis source:** AI Security Review (lpm-firewall-ai) This is the current Firewall decision for the selected package version, based on the available public evidence. Findings for this version do not establish the status of other versions. AI assessment: suspicious; recommendation: downgrade to warn. This assessment is supporting evidence; the published decision above determines the current policy. LPM treats this as warn-only first-party agent extension lifecycle risk. Installing the package automatically launches a native host that registers Mearl Skills and MCP integration. The runtime can then expose browser and agent-control capabilities to the fixed Mearl extension. ## Latest scan - **Scanner version:** rust-scanner-worker-schema-1 - **Recorded final verdict:** Suspicious - **Recorded analysis confidence:** 87.0% - **Started:** 2026-09-16T01:34:46.508Z - **Finished:** 2026-09-16T01:35:51.363Z - **Download time:** 780 ms - **Static scan time:** 2110 ms - **AI review time:** 61964 ms - **Total time:** 64855 ms The recorded confidence comes from the underlying analysis. Trusted advisory policy can determine the final verdict even when the AI assessment differs. ## Security analysis ### Published attack-surface review - **Summary:** Installing the package automatically launches a native host that registers Mearl Skills and MCP integration. The runtime can then expose browser and agent-control capabilities to the fixed Mearl extension. - **Trigger:** npm postinstall runs automatically during package installation. - **Impact:** It creates persistent local integration points without an explicit user command. - **Evidence paths:** package.json, dist/index.js - **Review source:** ai\_review - **Reviewed:** 2026-09-16T01:35:51.363Z ### AI review details - **Review stage:** source\_first\_review - **Mechanism:** Automatic Chrome native-messaging host registration for agent integrations. - **Rationale:** This is not a confirmed malware chain, but it performs unprompted install-time registration of persistent local agent integrations. The limited extension origin and lack of confirmed exfiltration support warning rather than blocking. - **Files touched:** dist/index.js, Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/NativeMessagingHosts, ~/.config/google-chrome/NativeMessagingHosts, HKCU\\SOFTWARE\\Google\\Chrome\\NativeMessagingHosts - **Network endpoints:** https://mearl.alibaba-inc.com/, https://www.google-analytics.com/mp/collect ### Review decision - **Verdict:** Suspicious - **Confidence:** 87.0% - **Recommended action:** downgrade\_to\_warn - **Intent class:** Dangerous Capability - **False-positive risk:** Low - **Evidence for warning:** The postinstall hook automatically starts the native-host entry point with --init., The installed program provides Skills and MCP native-host integrations and connects to Codex and Qoder agent providers., Runtime code includes optional remote extension updates and analytics telemetry. - **Evidence against:** The manifest has no runtime dependency on another release of itself., The automatic installer registers a fixed Mearl Chrome extension origin rather than modifying Codex or other agent configuration files., No credential exfiltration or remote-code execution was confirmed on the postinstall path. ## Affected versions and remediation This report applies to @mearl/native-host@2.16.2. - Review the evidence and your use of @mearl/native-host@2.16.2 before allowing it. Restrict the permissions described in this report. - Choose an independently verified alternative or release. This report does not establish that other versions are safe. ## Public findings ### 1. High: Install Time Lifecycle Scripts - **Category:** Manifest - **Confidence:** 90.0% - **Path:** package.json - **Public source:** [View source]() Package defines install-time lifecycle scripts. Public source snippet (untrusted): ```json scripts.postinstall = node dist/index.js --init || true ``` ### 2. Medium: Ambiguous Install Lifecycle Script - **Category:** Manifest - **Confidence:** 75.0% - **Path:** package.json - **Public source:** [View source]() Install-time lifecycle script is not statically allowlisted and needs review. Public source snippet (untrusted): ```json scripts.postinstall = node dist/index.js --init || true ``` ### 3. Low: Scripts Present - **Category:** Manifest - **Confidence:** 100.0% Package declares npm scripts. ### 4. High: Child Process - **Category:** Source - **Confidence:** 85.0% - **Path:** dist/index.js - **Public source:** [View source]() Package source references child process execution. Public source snippet (untrusted): ```javascript L6: `)}function save(namespaces){namespaces?process.env.DEBUG=namespaces:delete process.env.DEBUG}function load(){return process.env.DEBUG}function init(debug){debug.inspectOpts={};let... L7: `).map(str=>str.trim()).join(" ")};formatters.O=function(v){return this.inspectOpts.colors=this.useColors,util.inspect(v,this.inspectOpts)}}});var require_src=__commonJS({"../../no... L8: "${nodePath}" "${hostPath}" %*\r ``` ### 5. Medium: Network - **Category:** Source - **Confidence:** 75.0% Package source references network APIs. ### 6. Medium: Environment Vars - **Category:** Source - **Confidence:** 75.0% Package source references environment variables. ### 7. Low: Filesystem - **Category:** Source - **Confidence:** 70.0% Package source references filesystem APIs. ### 8. Critical: Same File Env Network Execution - **Category:** Source - **Confidence:** 90.0% - **Path:** dist/index.js - **Public source:** [View source]() A single source file combines environment access, network access, and code or shell execution with blocking evidence. Public source snippet (untrusted): ```javascript L38: mearl get_requests --payload '{"count":1}' L39: `),success2?0:1}var DEFAULT_EXTENSION_ID,__filename,__dirname,ALL_MODES,init_install=__esm({"src/install.ts"(){"use strict";init_nativeHost();DEFAULT_EXTENSION_ID="aoehhjnofngknnje... L40: `))!==-1;)lines.push(this.buffer.slice(0,newlineIndex)),this.buffer=this.buffer.slice(newlineIndex+1);return{lines,overflow:!1}}};import http2 from"node:http";import WebSocket from... L41: `),encoded="";for(let n=0;n>6|192),encoded+=String.fromCh... ``` ### 9. High: Credential Redirect Persistence - **Category:** Source - **Confidence:** 94.0% - **Path:** dist/index.js - **Public source:** [View source]() Manifest-reachable source sends a prompted API credential to a fixed unofficial gateway and persists the redirection. Public source snippet (untrusted): ```javascript Manifest-reachable source captures an API credential, sends it to a fixed unofficial gateway, and persists that redirection in agent or shell configuration. dist/index.js: `;return fs17.writeFileSync(launcherPath2,content2,"utf-8"),launcherPath2}let launcherPath=path17.join(hostDir,`${hostName}-launcher.sh`),content=["#!/bin/sh",`NODE_BIN=${JSON.stri... `);return fs17.writeFileSync(launcherPath,content,"utf-8"),fs17.chmodSync(launcherPath,493),launcherPath}async function installNativeHost(options={}){let{mode="both",extensionId=DE... `),success2?0:1}var DEFAULT_EXTENSION_ID,__filename,__dirname,ALL_MODES,init_install=__esm({"src/install.ts"(){"use strict";init_nativeHost();DEFAULT_EXTENSION_ID="aoehhjnofngknnje... `?2:1;buffer=buffer.slice(newlineIndex+separatorLength),events.push(...consu ``` ### 10. High: Command Output Exfiltration - **Category:** Source - **Confidence:** 82.0% - **Path:** dist/index.js - **Public source:** [View source]() Source combines command execution, command-output handling, and outbound requests; review data flow before blocking. Public source snippet (untrusted): ```javascript L515: `))}return chunks.push(Buffer.from(`--${boundary}--\r L516: `)),{contentType:`multipart/form-data; boundary=${boundary}`,body:Buffer.concat(chunks)}}function hasMultipartPayload(data){return data.formData!==void 0||data.files!==void 0}async... L517: const state = globalThis[${JSON.stringify(PAGE_OBSERVER_GLOBAL)}]; ... L527: ); L528: })()`,result=await sendCdpDeviceShellPageCommand(session,"Runtime.evaluate",{expression,returnByValue:!0,awaitPromise:!0},timeoutMs+2e3),error48=evaluationError(result);if(error48)... L529: const sel = ${JSON.stringify(selector)}; ``` ### 11. High: Unverified Remote Native Payload Install - **Category:** Source - **Confidence:** 94.0% - **Path:** package.json - **Public source:** [View source]() Install-time source downloads a native archive from a fixed external host without transport verification, extracts it, and installs an executable payload. Public source snippet (untrusted): ```json scripts.postinstall = node dist/index.js --init || true Install-time code downloads an unverified remote native archive, stages it locally, activates an executable path, and exposes it to process execution. L2: import { createRequire as __mearlCreateRequire } from 'node:module'; const require = __mearlCreateRequire(import.meta.url); L3: var __create=Object.create;var __defProp=Object.defineProperty;var __getOwnPropDesc=Object.getOwnPropertyDescriptor;var __getOwnPropNames=Object.getOwnPropertyNames;var __getProtoO... L4: `).join(` ... L6: `)}function save(namespaces){namespaces?process.env.DEBUG=namespaces:delete process.env.DEBUG}function load(){return process.env.DEBUG}function init(debug){debug.inspectOpts={};let... L7: `).map(str=>str.trim()).join(" ")};formatters.O=function(v){return ``` ### 12. Critical: Download Execute - **Category:** Source - **Confidence:** 90.0% - **Path:** dist/index.js - **Public source:** [View source]() Source downloads or fetches remote code and executes it. Public source snippet (untrusted): ```javascript L2: import { createRequire as __mearlCreateRequire } from 'node:module'; const require = __mearlCreateRequire(import.meta.url); L3: var __create=Object.create;var __defProp=Object.defineProperty;var __getOwnPropDesc=Object.getOwnPropertyDescriptor;var __getOwnPropNames=Object.getOwnPropertyNames;var __getProtoO... L4: `).join(` L5: `+prefix),args.push(colorCode+"m+"+module.exports.humanize(this.diff)+"\x1B[0m")}else args[0]=getDate()+name+" "+args[0]}function getDate(){return exports.inspectOpts.hideDate?"":n... L6: `)}function save(namespaces){namespaces?process.env.DEBUG=namespaces:delete process.env.DEBUG}function load(){return process.env.DEBUG}function init(debug){debug.inspectOpts={};let... L7: `).map(str=>str.trim()).join(" ")};formatters.O=function(v){return this.inspectOpts.colors ``` ### 13. Critical: Ai Agent Control Hijack - **Category:** Source - **Confidence:** 90.0% - **Path:** dist/index.js - **Public source:** [View source]() Source creates an unconsented AI-agent control surface through install-time mutation or a default unauthenticated remote skill channel. Public source snippet (untrusted): ```javascript L8: "${nodePath}" "${hostPath}" %*\r L9: `;return fs17.writeFileSync(launcherPath2,content2,"utf-8"),launcherPath2}let launcherPath=path17.join(hostDir,`${hostName}-launcher.sh`),content=["#!/bin/sh",`NODE_BIN=${JSON.stri... L10: `);return fs17.writeFileSync(launcherPath,content,"utf-8"),fs17.chmodSync(launcherPath,493),launcherPath}async function installNativeHost(options={}){let{mode="both",extensionId=DE... L11: Permission denied. Try running with sudo.`),!1}}async function uninstallNativeHost(options={},dependencies={}){return uninstallNativeHostArtifacts(options,dependencies)}async funct... ... L38: mearl get_requests --payload '{"count":1}' L39: `),success2?0:1}var DEFAULT_EXTENSION_ID,__filename,__dirname,ALL_MODES,init_install=__esm({"src/install.ts"(){"use strict";init_nativeHost( ``` ### 14. High: Cross File Remote Execution Context - **Category:** Source - **Confidence:** 72.0% - **Path:** dist/install.js - **Public source:** [View source]() Source spawns a local helper that also contains network and dynamic execution context; review data flow before blocking. Public source snippet (untrusted): ```javascript Cross-file remote execution chain: dist/install.js spawns dist/index.js; helper contains network access plus dynamic code execution. L1: import { createRequire as __mearlCreateRequire } from 'node:module'; const require = __mearlCreateRequire(import.meta.url); L2: import fs2 from"node:fs";import path2 from"node:path";import{execFileSync as execFileSync2}from"node:child_process";import{createRequire}from"node:module";import{fileURLToPath}from... L3: "${nodePath}" "${hostPath}" %*\r L4: `;return fs2.writeFileSync(launcherPath2,content2,"utf-8"),launcherPath2}let launcherPath=path2.join(hostDir,`${hostName}-launcher.sh`),content=["#!/bin/sh",`NODE_BIN=${JSON.string... L5: `);return fs2.writeFileSync(launcherPath,content,"utf-8"),fs2.chmodSync(launcherPath,493),launcherPath}async function inst ``` ### 15. Critical: Trigger Reachable Dangerous Capability - **Category:** Source - **Confidence:** 90.0% - **Path:** dist/index.js - **Public source:** [View source]() A package entrypoint or install-time lifecycle script reaches a source file with blocking dangerous behavior. Public source snippet (untrusted): ```javascript Trigger-reachable chain: scripts.postinstall -> dist/index.js L2: import { createRequire as __mearlCreateRequire } from 'node:module'; const require = __mearlCreateRequire(import.meta.url); L3: var __create=Object.create;var __defProp=Object.defineProperty;var __getOwnPropDesc=Object.getOwnPropertyDescriptor;var __getOwnPropNames=Object.getOwnPropertyNames;var __getProtoO... L4: `).join(` L5: `+prefix),args.push(colorCode+"m+"+module.exports.humanize(this.diff)+"\x1B[0m")}else args[0]=getDate()+name+" "+args[0]}function getDate(){return exports.inspectOpts.hideDate?"":n... L6: `)}function save(namespaces){namespaces?process.env.DEBUG=namespaces:delete process.env.DEBUG}function load(){return process.env.DEBUG}function init(debug){debug.inspectOpts={};let... L7: `).map(str=>str.trim()).join ``` ### 16. High: Trigger Reachable Command Output Exfiltration - **Category:** Source - **Confidence:** 94.0% - **Path:** dist/index.js - **Public source:** [View source]() A manifest entrypoint or package-local install chain reaches command-output exfiltration behavior. Public source snippet (untrusted): ```javascript Trigger-reachable command-output exfiltration chain: scripts.postinstall -> dist/index.js L515: `))}return chunks.push(Buffer.from(`--${boundary}--\r L516: `)),{contentType:`multipart/form-data; boundary=${boundary}`,body:Buffer.concat(chunks)}}function hasMultipartPayload(data){return data.formData!==void 0||data.files!==void 0}async... L517: const state = globalThis[${JSON.stringify(PAGE_OBSERVER_GLOBAL)}]; ... L527: ); L528: })()`,result=await sendCdpDeviceShellPageCommand(session,"Runtime.evaluate",{expression,returnByValue:!0,awaitPromise:!0},timeoutMs+2e3),error48=evaluationError(result);if(error48)... L529: const sel = ${JSON.stringify(selector)}; ``` ### 17. Low: High Entropy Strings - **Category:** Supply Chain - **Confidence:** 55.0% Package source contains high-entropy string patterns. ### 18. Low: Url Strings - **Category:** Supply Chain - **Confidence:** 65.0% Package source contains URL literals. ### 19. Medium: Structural Risk Force Deep Review - **Category:** Artifact Inventory - **Confidence:** 100.0% Artifact structure forces deeper review even if the static behavioral verdict is clean. ### 20. High: Known Malware Source Similarity - **Category:** Static - **Confidence:** 97.0% - **Path:** dist/index.js - **Public source:** [View source]() Source file is highly similar to a previously finalized malicious package; route for source-aware review. Public source snippet (untrusted): ```javascript matchType = normalized_sha256 matchedPackage = @mearl/native-host@2.15.2 matchedPath = dist/index.js matchedIdentity = npm:QG1lYXJsL25hdGl2ZS1ob3N0:2.15.2 similarity = 1.000 summary = normalized source hash matched finalized malicious source ``` ### 21. High: Known Malware Source Fingerprint Signature - **Category:** Supply Chain - **Confidence:** 94.0% - **Path:** dist/index.js - **Public source:** [View source]() Source fingerprint signature matches a known malicious package signature; route for source-aware review. Public source snippet (untrusted): ```javascript matchType = malicious_source_fingerprint_signature signature = fd0b812458e7831b signatureType = suspicious_hashes sourceLabel = final_verdict:malicious matchedPackage = @mearl/native-host@2.15.2 matchedPath = dist/index.js matchedIdentity = npm:QG1lYXJsL25hdGl2ZS1ob3N0:2.15.2 similarity = 1.000 shingleOverlap = 3 summary = package final verdict is malicious ``` ## Dependencies and install lifecycle - **Lifecycle scripts present:** Yes - **Published lifecycle scripts:** postinstall - **Dependencies:** 1 - **Optional dependencies:** 0 - **Peer dependencies:** 0 - **Development dependencies:** 10 - **Published dependency-graph edges:** 1 ### Published dependency entries - ws ^8.18.3 (Dependency) ## Package metadata - **Package:** @mearl/native-host - **Ecosystem:** npm - **Version:** 2.16.2 - **License:** ISC - **Version published:** 2026-09-14T14:39:50.483Z - **Package first seen:** 2026-07-27T13:10:14.867Z - **Package last seen:** 2026-09-30T06:19:44.109Z - **Known versions:** 32 - **Latest version:** 2.19.2 - **Appeal under review:** No - **Description:** Native Messaging Host for Mearl — bridges Chrome Extension and local socket server - **Maintainers:** f-loat, tuyan - **Keywords:** mearl, chrome-extension, native-messaging - **Runtime engines:** node: \>=22.12.0 - **Artifact files:** 5 - **Artifact unpacked size:** 1,229,501 bytes - **Artifact signatures:** 1 - **Attestations:** No ## References - [HTML security report]()