Critical Malicious Code Vulnerability in lite-matterr Package
Summary
MAL-2026-17513: Malicious code in lite-matterr (npm). Affects lite-matterr versions 1.0.0. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The lite-matterr package, available on npm, is designed to function as a telemetry aggregator. However, it has been found to contain a significant security vulnerability due to a malicious postinstall script that executes harmful code upon installation. This vulnerability poses a serious risk to any system that installs the package, as it can lead to unauthorized code execution.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the lite-matterr package version 1.0.0, which includes a postinstall hook in its package.json file that runs a malicious VBScript (4444.vbs) during the npm install process. This script is heavily obfuscated and contains layered decryption routines that ultimately lead to the execution of a PowerShell loader. The malicious code is designed to achieve code execution on any host that installs the package, contradicting the package's misleading claims of safety. The presence of embedded malicious code raises significant security concerns, as it can compromise user systems without their knowledge.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall lite-matterrIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, avoid installing the lite-matterr package until a secure version is released. If you have already installed it, remove it immediately and monitor your system for any unusual activity.
Conclusion
The lite-matterr package contains a critical vulnerability that allows for the execution of malicious code on any host that installs it. It is crucial to uninstall this package immediately and monitor for any unusual activity. Always stay informed about updates and security patches for your dependencies.
See every vulnerability recorded for lite-matterr →
FAQ
lite-matterr is an npm package that claims to function as a telemetry aggregator, but it has been found to contain malicious code.
The vulnerability allows malicious code to execute on your system without your consent, potentially leading to data breaches or system compromise.
If you have installed lite-matterr, immediately uninstall it using npm uninstall lite-matterr and monitor your system for any suspicious activity.
As of now, there is no patched version available. It is recommended to avoid using the package until a secure version is released.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities using just your package-lock.json. You can check your application for vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner without any signup.
