Critical Malicious Code Vulnerability in lang-codes Package
Summary
MAL-2025-191122: Malicious code in lang-codes (npm). Affects lang-codes versions 1.0.1 – 1.0.2. 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 lang-codes package is an npm library designed to provide a comprehensive list of language codes for developers. It is commonly used in applications that require localization or internationalization features. However, this package has been identified as containing malicious code, which poses significant security risks to any system that has it installed.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the presence of embedded malicious code within the lang-codes package, specifically in versions 1.0.1 and 1.0.2. This malicious code can compromise the entire system, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive information such as secrets and keys. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the package being flagged by the GitHub Security Advisory (GHSA) as a malware threat, indicating that any system running this package should be considered fully compromised.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall lang-codes
If 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
There are no effective workarounds for this vulnerability other than removing the package entirely. It is essential to monitor your system for any signs of compromise after the removal.
Conclusion
The lang-codes package has been identified as containing malicious code that can compromise systems. Immediate action is required to remove the package and secure any sensitive information. Regular monitoring of dependencies is essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.
See every vulnerability recorded for lang-codes →
FAQ
You should uninstall the lang-codes package immediately and rotate any sensitive information stored on your system.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
Keeping the lang-codes package installed can lead to unauthorized access to your system, potentially compromising sensitive data and allowing malicious actors to control your environment.
Regularly monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert, which can alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities.
If immediate removal is not possible, ensure to isolate the affected system from the network and monitor for any suspicious activity until you can safely remove the package.