Malicious code in velabuild (npm)
cli.js embeds a base64-encoded RSA private key in CONFIG.encodedSSHKey, decodes it to a temp file with mode 0o600, and uses it to ssh -o StrictHostKeyChecking=no -i <key> [email protected] to invoke bash scripts under /home/ubuntu/signing-server for the CLI's signup/login/deploy subcommands. The private key is shipped identically to every installer of the package, so anyone who downloads the tarball obtains valid SSH credentials to the author's server. Installing or requiring the package does not read installer-side secrets, does not fetch or execute attacker-controlled code on the installer, and does not modify the installer's filesystem outside the package's own temp key file. A secondary observation: the rx signup / rx login subcommands pass user-supplied username and password as shell arguments to auth.sh over the shared SSH tunnel, but this only fires when the user explicitly invokes those subcommands and matches the package's documented auth backend.
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.
MAL-2026-13493 is recorded against 1 package.
Published on 7 August 2026. No public exploit is currently recorded for this entry. Record sourced from OSV.
github.com (Advisory)
www.npmjs.com (Package)
www.npmjs.com (Package)
www.npmjs.com (Package)
www.npmjs.com (Package)
www.npmjs.com (Package)
www.npmjs.com (Package)
www.npmjs.com (Package)
www.npmjs.com (Package)
Details
Affected Packages
| Software | From version | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| velabuild | — | — |
References
Free Vulnerability Check
BotEraser helps you identify potentially vulnerable plugins and themes by checking your installation against MAL-2026-13493 and other known CVE records.
Scan My Site Free →No credit card required · Results in minutes
ⓘ Data Notice: The information presented above has been compiled from publicly available internet sources. Boteraser aggregates this data solely for informational purposes and does not independently classify, evaluate, or endorse any findings about the vulnerabilities listed. The accuracy and completeness of this information is the sole responsibility of the original publishers. Boteraser and its operators accept no liability for any decisions made based on this data.
Stay up to date with the latest from Boteraser.
We use cookies to improve your experience on our site. By using our site, you consent to cookies.
Manage your cookie preferences below:
Essential cookies enable basic functions and are necessary for the proper function of the website.
CloudFlare provides web performance and security solutions, enhancing site speed and protecting against threats.
Service URL: developers.cloudflare.com (opens in a new window)
These cookies are needed for adding comments on this website.
These cookies are used for managing login functionality on this website.
Statistics cookies collect information anonymously. This information helps us understand how visitors use our website.
Google Analytics is a powerful tool that tracks and analyzes website traffic for informed marketing decisions.
Service URL: policies.google.com (opens in a new window)
You can find more information in our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.