Malicious code in web3-core-js (npm)
package.json declares a lifecycle hook that invokes require('child_process') and execSync with a curl command at install time. This pattern fetches remote content and executes it on the installer's machine as part of npm install, before any user code runs. The package name mimics the widely-used web3/web3-core ecosystem while shipping only a lifecycle trigger for remote execution — no library code consistent with the claimed web3 purpose is present. Running npm install web3-core-js on any developer or CI machine results in arbitrary attacker-controlled bytes being fetched and executed with the privileges of the installing user.
The OpenSSF Package Analysis project identified 'web3-core-js' @ 2.0.0 (npm) as malicious.
It is considered malicious because:
MAL-2026-3719 is recorded against 1 package.
Published on 13 May 2026 and last revised on 15 May 2026. No public exploit is currently recorded for this entry. Record sourced from OSV.
Details
Affected Packages
| Software | From version | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| web3-core-js | — | — |
References
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ⓘ 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.
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