Credential Harvesting Vulnerability in @hrmony/benefit-internetzuschuss Package
Summary
MAL-2026-17254: Malicious code in @hrmony/benefit-internetzuschuss (npm). Affects @hrmony/benefit-internetzuschuss versions 1.99.0. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The @hrmony/benefit-internetzuschuss package is an npm module that is purportedly designed to assist users with social benefits in Germany. However, it has been found to contain malicious code that compromises the security of systems where it is installed. This package is misleadingly named and does not serve its intended purpose, instead engaging in harmful activities that threaten user data and system integrity.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the package's code, which unconditionally beacons to a hardcoded external host upon import. It harvests sensitive information such as installer credentials, AWS Instance Metadata, and environment variables, sending this data to an attacker-controlled endpoint. This behavior indicates a severe security risk, as any system running this package is considered fully compromised, leading to potential data breaches and unauthorized access to sensitive information.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall @hrmony/benefit-internetzuschussIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
There are no effective workarounds for this vulnerability other than removing the package entirely. Ensure that all secrets and keys stored on the affected system are rotated immediately from a secure environment.
Conclusion
The @hrmony/benefit-internetzuschuss package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that harvests sensitive information. Immediate action is required to remove the package and secure any compromised systems. Users are encouraged to utilize tools like Vulert for ongoing vulnerability monitoring.
See every vulnerability recorded for @hrmony/benefit-internetzuschuss →
FAQ
It is intended to assist users with social benefits in Germany, but it contains malicious code that compromises system security.
The package beacons to an external host and harvests sensitive information, including AWS credentials and environment variables, sending them to an attacker-controlled server.
You should uninstall the package immediately and rotate any sensitive credentials stored on the affected system.
No, there is currently no patched version available. The only solution is to remove the package.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just your package-lock.json file. You can also check your application for this vulnerability using the Vulert playground without any signup.
