Malicious Code Vulnerability in catqrcodeconverter Package
Summary
MAL-2026-16435: Malicious code in catqrcodeconverter (npm). Affects catqrcodeconverter versions 99.2.1. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The catqrcodeconverter package is an npm library designed for converting text into QR codes. It is commonly used in web applications to generate QR codes dynamically. However, version 99.2.1 of this package has been found to contain malicious code that compromises user privacy and security.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability arises from the inclusion of both preinstall and postinstall lifecycle hooks in the package's package.json file, which execute a script (run.js). This script collects sensitive information such as the installer's OS username and hostname, and sends this data to a hardcoded external endpoint without user consent. The malicious behavior is indicative of a dependency-confusion attack, where the high version number is used to trick users into installing a compromised package instead of an internal one.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall catqrcodeconverterIf 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 catqrcodeconverter package entirely and look for alternative libraries that provide similar functionality without the risk of malicious code.
Conclusion
The catqrcodeconverter package has a critical vulnerability that exposes user information to potential attackers. It is crucial to remove the affected version and seek alternative solutions to ensure the security of your applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for catqrcodeconverter →
FAQ
catqrcodeconverter is an npm package used for generating QR codes from text in web applications.
The vulnerability allows malicious code to collect sensitive user information without consent, potentially leading to privacy breaches.
You should uninstall the affected version (99.2.1) immediately and look for alternative packages.
No patch is available for the catqrcodeconverter package; it is advised to remove the package instead.
You can use Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. You can check your application for vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner without needing to sign up.
