jshelperdependenceny@99.0.0
OpenSSF/OSV Malicious Advisory
imported 10d ago · by OpenSSF/OSVOpenSSF/OSV advisory MAL-2026-18288 confirms this npm version as malicious.
Advisory
MAL-2026-18288
Source
OpenSSF Malicious Packages via OSV
Summary
Malicious code in jshelperdependenceny (npm)
Details
npm package 'jshelperdependenceny' is published at version 99.0.0 with a preinstall banner stating it is intended to shadow an internal v1.0.0 package of the same name — the classic dependency-confusion shape of using an inflated version to win resolution against a private registry. On install, package.json runs 'node preinstall.js || true', which collects os.hostname(), os.platform(), os.arch(), and the package name/version and POSTs them as JSON to a URL taken from the DC_CALLBACK_URL environment variable, defaulting to http://127.0.0.1:5656/exfil. The env-var override turns the loopback default into a functional attacker-configurable beacon that fires automatically on npm install and discloses installer host identifiers plus confirmation that the shadowed internal name resolved to this public artifact.
References
Independent LPM AI assessment
CleanIndependent AI assessment: clean. LPM AI assessed this version as clean; the assessments disagree.
The automatic hook sends limited host metadata, but defaults to loopback and requires DC_CALLBACK_URL to select another recipient. Source inspection found no confirmed attack behavior.
Static reason
One or more suspicious static signals were detected.
Trigger
Package installation invokes the preinstall hook.
Impact
The default destination is local; source does not establish an external publisher-selected recipient or secret collection.
Mechanism
The hook posts package and host metadata to the callback URL.
AI rationale
The automatic hook sends limited host metadata, but defaults to loopback and requires DC_CALLBACK_URL to select another recipient. Source inspection found no confirmed attack behavior.
Evidence
package.jsonpreinstall.js
Network endpoints1
127.0.0.1:5656/exfil
Independent scan evidence
public snapshotAI called this Clean at 90.0% confidence as Benign with low false-positive risk.
Evidence for AI clean decision
- package.json runs the preinstall script automatically.
- preinstall.js defaults its callback to loopback; another destination requires DC_CALLBACK_URL.
- The callback payload contains package and host metadata, and the script posts it to the selected URL.
Evidence against
Behavioral surface
EnvironmentVarsNetwork
UrlStrings
Source & flagged code
7 flaggedpackage.jsonView file
•scripts.preinstall = node preinstall.js || true
High
Install Time Lifecycle Scripts
Package defines install-time lifecycle scripts.
package.jsonView on unpkg7"preinstall": "node preinstall.js || true"
},
"keywords": ["helper", "config", "utils"],
"author": "hackwise-lab",
"license": "MIT"
}
High
Ai Review Evidence
package.json runs the preinstall script automatically.
package.jsonView on unpkg · L7•scripts.preinstall = node preinstall.js || true
Medium
Ambiguous Install Lifecycle Script
Install-time lifecycle script is not statically allowlisted and needs review.
package.jsonView on unpkgpreinstall.jsView file
Findings
6 High3 Medium2 Low
HighInstall Time Lifecycle Scriptspackage.json
HighAi Review Evidencepackage.json
HighAi Review Evidencepreinstall.js
HighAi Review Evidencepreinstall.js
HighAi Review Evidencepreinstall.js
HighAi Review Evidencepreinstall.js
MediumAmbiguous Install Lifecycle Scriptpackage.json
MediumNetwork
MediumEnvironment Vars
LowScripts Present
LowUrl Strings
Affected versions and remediation
This report applies to jshelperdependenceny@99.0.0.
See all versions of jshelperdependenceny for other recorded verdicts.
- Avoid installing jshelperdependenceny@99.0.0. 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: .
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