Critical Malicious Code Vulnerability in health-check-node Package
Summary
MAL-2026-362: Malicious code in health-check-node (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The health-check-node package is an npm module designed to facilitate health checks for Node.js applications. It is commonly used in various web applications to ensure that services are running smoothly. However, this package has been compromised, leading to severe security risks for any system utilizing it.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the presence of malicious code within the health-check-node package. This code can fully compromise any computer that has the package installed or running. It poses a significant risk as it can access sensitive information, including secrets and keys stored on the affected system. The malicious nature of this code is classified under CWE-506, indicating that it contains embedded malicious code that can lead to unauthorized access and control over the system.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall health-check-nodeIf 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. The only recommended action is to uninstall the health-check-node package and secure your system.
Conclusion
The health-check-node package has been compromised with malicious code, posing a significant threat to any system using it. Immediate removal of the package and rotation of sensitive information is essential to mitigate risks. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help monitor for such vulnerabilities in the future.
See every vulnerability recorded for health-check-node →
FAQ
You should immediately uninstall the health-check-node package and rotate any sensitive information stored on the affected system.
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Failing to address this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access to your system, data breaches, and potential control by malicious entities.
There are no effective mitigation strategies available. The only safe course of action is to remove the package entirely.
Vulert provides a service that monitors your package-lock.json file for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time, alerting you to any issues.
