Malicious Code Detected in nf-referral-backend Package - Version 1.0.9
Summary
MAL-2026-1243: Malicious code in nf-referral-backend (npm). Affects nf-referral-backend versions 1.0.2 – 1.0.9. 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 nf-referral-backend package is an npm module designed for backend referral management. It is utilized in various applications for handling referral processes. However, version 1.0.9 has been flagged for containing malicious code that compromises the integrity and security of applications using it.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the nf-referral-backend package arises from its communication with a domain associated with malicious activities and the execution of commands linked to harmful behavior. This can lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential exploitation of the affected systems. The malicious nature of the package was identified by the OpenSSF Package Analysis project, which highlighted its risks to users and developers.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall nf-referral-backendIf 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
If immediate updating is not feasible, consider removing the nf-referral-backend package from your project until a secure version is released. You can uninstall it using the following command:
npm uninstall nf-referral-backend
Conclusion
The nf-referral-backend package version 1.0.9 has been identified as malicious, posing significant risks to applications that utilize it. Users are urged to update or remove the package to safeguard their systems. Monitoring tools like Vulert can assist in identifying vulnerabilities in real-time.
See every vulnerability recorded for nf-referral-backend →
FAQ
nf-referral-backend is an npm package used for managing referral processes in backend applications.
The malicious behavior was identified by the OpenSSF Package Analysis project, which flagged the package for communicating with a known malicious domain.
Using the compromised version can lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, and exploitation of the application.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just package-lock.json. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground without any signup.
If you cannot update the package, it is advisable to uninstall it until a secure version is available.
