cache-section-helper
This report shows the evidence for cache-section-helper@1.0.7. 1 of 2 known versions is blocked or flagged. The newest version, 0.0.1-security, is allowed. See all versions.
OpenSSF/OSV Malicious Advisory
imported 4mo ago · by OpenSSF/OSVOpenSSF/OSV advisory MAL-2026-5604 confirms this npm version as malicious.
Advisory
MAL-2026-5604
Source
OpenSSF Malicious Packages via OSV
Summary
Malicious code in cache-section-helper (npm)
Details
package.json declares a postinstall hook (`node -e "require('./loader.js')"`) that runs automatically on every `npm install`. loader.js hex-decodes the string `68747470733a2f2f6a736f6e6b65657065722e636f6d2f622f4c34333541` to the URL `https://jsonkeeper.com/b/L435A`, fetches a JSON document from that anonymous paste host, extracts a `manifest.session` field, writes it to a temporary file under `os.tmpdir()/wpc-*/cfg-<ts>.js`, `require()`s it to execute the attacker-supplied JavaScript, then deletes the file to hide traces. The dropper is launched via `spawn(process.execPath, [tmpFile], { detached: true, stdio: 'ignore', cwd: os.tmpdir() }).unref()` so the child Node process outlives the npm install and runs without producing visible output. The package presents itself as a webpack caching helper (class `WebpackCachePlugin` in index.js, a README that instructs `npm install cache-helper` — a different name suggesting impersonation), but the advertised plugin code is trivial; the real behavior is the install-time dropper. Every installer fetches and executes attacker-controlled, mutable, unauthenticated code from a paste host with no integrity verification.
## Source: ghsa-malware (d7b500c1184a1672761308f47bfc568ca655c25f74ae4fad0c56093ce02421ef) 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.
References
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 cache-section-helper@1.0.7.
The versions list below shows the verdict for each recorded version.
- Avoid installing cache-section-helper@1.0.7. 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.
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