Malicious Code Injection in catplatebarcodeparser Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2026-16434: Malicious code in catplatebarcodeparser (npm). Affects catplatebarcodeparser versions 99.2.1. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The catplatebarcodeparser package is an npm library designed for parsing barcode data. It is commonly used in applications that require barcode scanning and processing. However, version 99.2.1 of this package has been identified to contain malicious code that compromises user data and system integrity.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the preinstall and postinstall lifecycle scripts defined in the catplatebarcodeparser package. When a user installs this package, it executes a script (scripts/run.js) that collects sensitive information such as the username and hostname of the user’s operating system. This information is then sent to a hardcoded external server (https://webhook.site/40e9b065-efd7-43a5-916f-3d52281f42b6) without the user's consent. Additionally, the script performs a DNS lookup to a domain controlled by the attacker, indicating a potential dependency-confusion attack aimed at internal package resolution.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall catplatebarcodeparserIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can avoid using the catplatebarcodeparser package until a patched version is released. Alternatively, you can manually remove the preinstall and postinstall scripts from the package if you have control over the package installation process.
Conclusion
The catplatebarcodeparser package version 99.2.1 contains a serious vulnerability that allows for the collection of sensitive user information. It is essential to update to a patched version as soon as possible and consider using tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in your projects.
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FAQ
The catplatebarcodeparser package is an npm library used for parsing barcode data in applications.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized data collection, exposing sensitive user information to malicious actors.
If you have installed version 99.2.1, you should immediately update to the latest version or remove the package from your project.
Yes, Vulert can monitor your project for vulnerabilities using the package-lock.json file and alert you in real-time.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
