express-initial
This report shows the evidence for express-initial@12.1.10. 4 of 4 known versions are blocked or flagged. See all versions.
OpenSSF/OSV Malicious Advisory
imported 4mo ago · by OpenSSF/OSVOpenSSF/OSV advisory MAL-2026-6543 confirms this npm version as malicious.
Advisory
MAL-2026-6543
Source
OpenSSF Malicious Packages via OSV
Summary
Malicious code in express-initial (npm)
Details
package.json declares `"postinstall": "node index.js"`, so `npm install express-initial` automatically runs the package's main script. index.js is heavily obfuscated (obfuscator.io-style 317-entry RC4-encoded string array, base64 decoder, array-rotation self-shuffle, control-flow flattening) which hides the destination URL, AES key material, and command strings from any plain-text inspection. At runtime the script imports http/https, fs, path, os, crypto, and child_process, performs an HTTPS GET against a hard-coded remote host, splits the response on ':' into IV and ciphertext, decrypts via `crypto.createDecipheriv('aes-256-...', <sha256-derived key>, Buffer.from(iv,'base64'))`, writes the decrypted bytes into `path.join(os.tmpdir(), <name>)` with flag 'w+', and immediately invokes the dropped file via `child_process.exec`/`execFile` with `windowsHide: true`. This is a fetch-decrypt-and-execute dropper firing on default install. The package name also leverages the popular `express` framework while shipping empty author/description/repository metadata and a generic README that itself notes the script is obfuscated — consistent with a deliberate supply-chain lure rather than a legitimate helper.
## Source: ghsa-malware (7e5efd40dc0c1b6d6087636366132ffd18b77da665b9984fddb61c9bb72a80de) 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 express-initial@12.1.10.
The same advisory and Firewall decision cover 4 recorded versions
12.1.10, 12.1.9, 12.1.7, 12.1.8
The versions list below shows the verdict for each recorded version.
- Avoid installing express-initial@12.1.10. 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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