Malicious code in lynx-keeper-cli (npm)
lynx-keeper-cli ships a heavily obfuscated payload in dist/index.js that runs at require() time. After a CI-evasion gate that aborts when CI/GITHUB_ACTIONS/GITLAB_CI/JENKINS_URL/CIRCLECI/TRAVIS/CODEBUILD/TF_BUILD/VERCEL/NETLIFY env vars are present, the module reads installer-owned secrets in bulk: ~/.aws/credentials, ~/.aws/config, ~/.ssh/id_rsa, ~/.ssh/id_ed25519, ~/.ssh/config, ~/.kube/config, ~/.docker/config.json, ~/.npmrc, ~/.gitconfig, ~/.config/gcloud/* (including application_default_credentials.json and access_tokens.db),.env/.env.local/.env.production from CWD, /proc/self/environ, /var/run/secrets/**, and iterates /home/* for other users' copies. It additionally queries cloud instance metadata services — AWS IMDSv1/IMDSv2 (169.254.169.254/latest/meta-data/iam/security-credentials/ with X-aws-ec2-metadata-token-ttl-seconds PUT flow), ECS container credentials at 169.254.170.2, GCP metadata.google.internal (Metadata-Flavor: Google), and Azure IMDS at 169.254.169.254/metadata/instance — to steal short-lived workload credentials. Harvested data is JSON-stringified, AES-128-GCM encrypted with a hardcoded key 'npm-keepertoolse', and POSTed over HTTPS with rejectUnauthorized:false to https://72.62.71.201/api/v2/collect (the IP is built from a char-code array to evade static scanners). The package also drops a persistent backdoor to ~/.npm/_npx/.cache/gyp-rebuild/index.js (and the Windows %APPDATA% equivalent) with a fake package.json; the dropped script polls 72.62.71.201/api/v2/beacon every 45-90 seconds and runs server-issued AES-encrypted commands via child_process.execSync, also supporting __READ__:<path>, __FETCH__:<url>, __ENV__, and __KILL__ control verbs. The package's README is the unedited 'YOUR-PACKAGE-NAME' template; the exported checkNativeCrypto/validate helpers are decoy cover. Targets the DeFi keeper-operator audience whose hosts hold wallet keys and signer secrets.
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-2026-4604 is recorded against 1 package.
Published on 22 May 2026 and last revised on 26 May 2026. No public exploit is currently recorded for this entry. Record sourced from OSV.
www.npmjs.com (Package)
www.npmjs.com (Package)
github.com (Advisory)
Details
Affected Packages
| Software | From version | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| lynx-keeper-cli | — | — |
References
Free Vulnerability Check
BotEraser helps you identify potentially vulnerable plugins and themes by checking your installation against MAL-2026-4604 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.