Malicious Code Execution in pflag29424 Package
Summary
MAL-2026-16342: Malicious code in pflag29424 (npm). Affects pflag29424 versions 1.0.0. 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 pflag29424 package is an npm module that lacks a README and documented purpose, making it difficult for users to understand its intended functionality. It is designed to execute code upon loading, which raises significant security concerns, particularly due to its behavior of relaying sensitive information to an external endpoint.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the pflag29424 package arises from its unconditionally executing code on module load. Specifically, it fetches data from a '/profile' endpoint, scans for a DGA token, and sends either the token or the first 300 characters of the response to a hardcoded anonymous collector at a webhook.site URL. This behavior allows an attacker to capture sensitive information from the loading context, posing a severe risk to users who inadvertently include this package in their projects.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall pflag29424If 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 workaround, consider using a different package that provides similar functionality without the malicious behavior. Always review the code of third-party packages before including them in your project.
Conclusion
The pflag29424 package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that executes on load. Users are advised to remove this package from their projects and monitor their dependencies for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert. Staying informed about security updates is crucial for maintaining safe software practices.
See every vulnerability recorded for pflag29424 →
FAQ
The main issue is that it contains malicious code that executes upon loading, which can relay sensitive information to an attacker-controlled endpoint.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. You can check your application against this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner without any signup.
You should remove the pflag29424 package immediately and look for alternative packages that do not have known vulnerabilities.
As of now, there is no patch available for the pflag29424 package. It is recommended to remove it from your project.
The malicious code fetches data from a specified endpoint and sends sensitive information to an attacker-controlled webhook, compromising user data.
