Malicious Code Injection in helpersutils-dev-tools Package
Summary
MAL-2026-16465: Malicious code in helpersutils-dev-tools (npm). Affects helpersutils-dev-tools versions 1.0.11. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The helpersutils-dev-tools package is designed as a development utility to assist developers in their projects. It offers various helper functions and tools aimed at improving the development workflow. However, this package has been found to contain malicious code that executes upon loading, posing significant security risks to applications that utilize it.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the main module of the helpersutils-dev-tools package, which executes an Immediately Invoked Function Expression (IIFE) at the time of requiring the module. This IIFE sends an image request to a hardcoded IP address (http://5.189.173.113:8899/csp-edu) with the document domain appended as a query parameter. Additionally, a sibling file named bypass.js contains a similar beacon to another hardcoded IP (http://5.189.173.113:8899/csp). These actions compromise the confidentiality of the consuming application's domain information, making it susceptible to data exfiltration and other malicious activities.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall helpersutils-dev-toolsIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can prevent the execution of the malicious code by removing the package from your dependencies or replacing it with a safer alternative. If you need to keep the package for functionality, ensure that it is not loaded in your application until a fix is available.
Conclusion
The helpersutils-dev-tools package contains malicious code that poses a significant security risk to applications that utilize it. It is crucial to update or remove the package to safeguard your application from potential data breaches and other malicious activities.
See every vulnerability recorded for helpersutils-dev-tools →
FAQ
The malicious code sends sensitive information, such as the document domain, to a hardcoded IP address, potentially leading to data breaches.
You can use Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
If you cannot update the package, consider removing it from your project or replacing it with a safer alternative to mitigate risks.
Yes, Vulert can monitor and alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just package-lock.json.
Failing to address this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized data access, data breaches, and compromise the integrity of your application.
