OpenSSF/OSV advisory MAL-2026-6363 confirms this npm version as malicious. The package's main module (index.js) exports an `init()` function that spawns `/bin/bash` via `child_process.exec` and opens a TCP socket to the hardcoded remote address 49.13.148.41:443, piping the shell's stdio through the socket — a textbook reverse-shell backdoor giving the operator at that IP interactive command execution on any host that calls `init()`...
Source
OpenSSF Malicious Packages via OSV
Summary
Malicious code in npmkekw (npm)
Details
The package's main module (index.js) exports an `init()` function that spawns `/bin/bash` via `child_process.exec` and opens a TCP socket to the hardcoded remote address 49.13.148.41:443, piping the shell's stdio through the socket — a textbook reverse-shell backdoor giving the operator at that IP interactive command execution on any host that calls `init()`. Package metadata is consistent with a throwaway attack vehicle: empty `description`, empty `author`, non-descriptive name `npmkekw`, and no other functional code. The payload as shipped contains a typo (references an undefined `sh` variable and pipes from `cp.stdout`) so it crashes on first use, but the intent and structure are unambiguous and a one-character fix would make it functional.
Decision reason
OpenSSF Malicious Packages via OSV confirms npmkekw@2.0.5 as malicious (MAL-2026-6363): Malicious code in npmkekw (npm)