hex-type
This report shows the evidence for hex-type@3.0.2, the only known version.
OpenSSF/OSV Malicious Advisory
imported 4mo ago · by OpenSSF/OSVOpenSSF/OSV advisory MAL-2026-5538 confirms this npm version as malicious.
Advisory
MAL-2026-5538
Source
OpenSSF Malicious Packages via OSV
Summary
Malicious code in hex-type (npm)
Details
Package metadata (description "A universally-unique, lexicographically-sortable, identifier generator", homepage github.com/ulid/javascript, build script `--name ulidx`, reused ULID source) impersonates the legitimate `ulid`/`ulidx` libraries, but the package adds a malicious dropper not present in those projects. `package.json` declares `"postinstall": "node dist/utils.js"`. On `npm install`, dist/utils.js re-spawns itself detached with `--bg`, copies dist/payload.js (~950KB) to a hidden directory named `MicrosoftSystem64` under LOCALAPPDATA / Application Support / ~/.local/share (impersonating a Windows system component), and registers OS-level persistence: a Windows Scheduled Task plus Run-key launching `wscript.exe` of a generated VBS, a Linux systemd --user service with `loginctl enable-linger`, or a `.config/autostart` fallback, and a detached spawn on macOS. The dropped payload.js bundles the `ws` WebSocket client/server, `pino` logging, `zod`, and references `https://huggingface.co/api` and `https://huggingface.co` — the building blocks of a long-running remote-controlled agent, with zero relation to ULID generation. Both the postinstall (`if (cpus.length <= 4...) return;`) and the agent (`MIN_CPU_COUNT = 5`) abort on hosts with ≤4 CPUs to evade sandboxes and low-core CI runners. This is unambiguous installer-side RCE plus persistence plus C2.
## Source: ghsa-malware (4a9a7e2427ae3c6ab1b50874653afe275962d527b94bf81ea5ce52ae9455d793) 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 hex-type@3.0.2.
The versions list below shows the verdict for each recorded version.
- Avoid installing hex-type@3.0.2. 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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