CWE-506
Allowed-with-ReviewEmbedded Malicious Code
Abstraction: Class · Status: Incomplete
The product contains code that appears to be malicious in nature.
525 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-M9R7-Q9FC-QWX5
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2020-09-03 17:22 – Updated: 2021-09-30 17:43All versions of maybemaliciouspackage contain malicious code. The package prints the system's SSH keys to the console as a postinstall script.
Recommendation
Remove the package from your environment. There are no further signs of compromise.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "npm",
"name": "maybemaliciouspackage"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0.0.0"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-506"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2020-08-31T18:45:10Z",
"nvd_published_at": null,
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "All versions of `maybemaliciouspackage` contain malicious code. The package prints the system\u0027s SSH keys to the console as a postinstall script.\n\n\n## Recommendation\n\nRemove the package from your environment. There are no further signs of compromise.",
"id": "GHSA-m9r7-q9fc-qwx5",
"modified": "2021-09-30T17:43:47Z",
"published": "2020-09-03T17:22:24Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/1042"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
],
"summary": "Malicious Package in maybemaliciouspackage"
}
GHSA-MC9X-V9XG-25PM
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2018-08-06 20:12 – Updated: 2023-09-12 18:43The coffescript package is a piece of malware that steals sensitive data such as a user's private SSH key and bash history, sending them to attacker controlled locations.
All versions have been unpublished from the npm registry.
Recommendation
If you have found coffescript installed in your environment, you should:
1. Delete the package
2. Clear your npm cache
3. Ensure it is not present in any other package.json files on your system
4. Regenerate your SSH keys, registry credentials, tokens, and any other sensitive credentials that may have been present in your bash history.
Additionally, any service which may have been exposed via credentials in your bash history or accessible via your ssh keys, such as a database, should be reviewed for indicators of compromise as well.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "npm",
"name": "coffescript"
},
"versions": [
"1.0.1"
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2017-16205"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-506"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2020-06-16T21:45:52Z",
"nvd_published_at": null,
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "The `coffescript` package is a piece of malware that steals sensitive data such as a user\u0027s private SSH key and bash history, sending them to attacker controlled locations. \n\nAll versions have been unpublished from the npm registry.\n\n\n\n## Recommendation\n\nIf you have found `coffescript` installed in your environment, you should:\n1. Delete the package\n2. Clear your npm cache\n3. Ensure it is not present in any other package.json files on your system\n4. Regenerate your SSH keys, registry credentials, tokens, and any other sensitive credentials that may have been present in your bash history.\n\nAdditionally, any service which may have been exposed via credentials in your bash history or accessible via your ssh keys, such as a database, should be reviewed for indicators of compromise as well.",
"id": "GHSA-mc9x-v9xg-25pm",
"modified": "2023-09-12T18:43:18Z",
"published": "2018-08-06T20:12:54Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-16205"
},
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-mc9x-v9xg-25pm"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/542"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
],
"summary": "coffescript is malware"
}
GHSA-MFC2-93PR-JF92
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2020-10-01 17:10 – Updated: 2020-10-01 17:09npm packages loadyaml and electorn were removed from the npm registry for containing malicious code. Upon installation the package runs a preinstall script that writes a public comment on GitHub containing the following information:
- IP and IP-based geolocation
- home directory name
- local username
The malicious packages have been removed from the npm registry and the leaked content removed from GitHub.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "npm",
"name": "loadyaml"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"last_affected": "1.0.2"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-506"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2020-10-01T17:09:29Z",
"nvd_published_at": null,
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "npm packages `loadyaml` and `electorn` were removed from the npm registry for containing malicious code. Upon installation the package runs a preinstall script that writes a public comment on GitHub containing the following information:\n- IP and IP-based geolocation\n- home directory name\n- local username \n\nThe malicious packages have been removed from the npm registry and the leaked content removed from GitHub.",
"id": "GHSA-mfc2-93pr-jf92",
"modified": "2020-10-01T17:09:29Z",
"published": "2020-10-01T17:10:15Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/1563"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [],
"summary": "Malicious code in `loadyaml`"
}
GHSA-MGFF-XPG3-3GWC
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2020-09-03 19:42 – Updated: 2021-10-01 20:57All versions of this package contained malware. The package was designed to find and exfiltrate cryptocurrency wallets.
Recommendation
Any computer that has this package installed or running should be considered fully compromised. All secrets and keys stored on that computer should be rotated immediately from a different computer.
The package should be removed, but as full control of the computer may have been given to an outside entity, there is no guarantee that removing the package will remove all malicious software resulting from installing it.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "npm",
"name": "bsae-x"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0.0.0"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-506"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2020-08-31T18:57:09Z",
"nvd_published_at": null,
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "All versions of this package contained malware. The package was designed to find and exfiltrate cryptocurrency wallets.\n\n\n## Recommendation\n\nAny computer that has this package installed or running should be considered fully compromised. All secrets and keys stored on that computer should be rotated immediately from a different computer.\n\nThe package should be removed, but as full control of the computer may have been given to an outside entity, there is no guarantee that removing the package will remove all malicious software resulting from installing it.",
"id": "GHSA-mgff-xpg3-3gwc",
"modified": "2021-10-01T20:57:02Z",
"published": "2020-09-03T19:42:25Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/1380"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
],
"summary": "Malicious Package in bsae-x"
}
GHSA-MH6F-8J2X-4483
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2018-11-26 23:58 – Updated: 2021-09-15 20:08The NPM package flatmap-stream is considered malicious. A malicious actor added this package as a dependency to the NPM event-stream package in version 3.3.6. Users of event-stream are encouraged to downgrade to the last non-malicious version, 3.3.4, or upgrade to the latest 4.x version.
Users of flatmap-stream are encouraged to remove the dependency entirely.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "npm",
"name": "event-stream"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "3.3.6"
},
{
"fixed": "4.0.0"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
],
"versions": [
"3.3.6"
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "npm",
"name": "flatmap-stream"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-506"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2020-06-16T21:46:17Z",
"nvd_published_at": null,
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "The NPM package `flatmap-stream` is considered malicious. A malicious actor added this package as a dependency to the NPM `event-stream` package in version `3.3.6`. Users of `event-stream` are encouraged to downgrade to the last non-malicious version, `3.3.4`, or upgrade to the latest 4.x version. \n\nUsers of `flatmap-stream` are encouraged to remove the dependency entirely.\n",
"id": "GHSA-mh6f-8j2x-4483",
"modified": "2021-09-15T20:08:26Z",
"published": "2018-11-26T23:58:21Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/dominictarr/event-stream/issues/116"
},
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-mh6f-8j2x-4483"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/dominictarr/event-stream"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
],
"summary": "Critical severity vulnerability that affects event-stream and flatmap-stream"
}
GHSA-MHXG-PR3J-V9GR
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2020-09-03 19:41 – Updated: 2021-10-01 20:59All versions of this package contained malware. The package was designed to find and exfiltrate cryptocurrency wallets.
Recommendation
Any computer that has this package installed or running should be considered fully compromised. All secrets and keys stored on that computer should be rotated immediately from a different computer.
The package should be removed, but as full control of the computer may have been given to an outside entity, there is no guarantee that removing the package will remove all malicious software resulting from installing it.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "npm",
"name": "colne"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0.0.0"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-506"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2020-08-31T18:57:23Z",
"nvd_published_at": null,
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "All versions of this package contained malware. The package was designed to find and exfiltrate cryptocurrency wallets.\n\n\n## Recommendation\n\nAny computer that has this package installed or running should be considered fully compromised. All secrets and keys stored on that computer should be rotated immediately from a different computer.\n\nThe package should be removed, but as full control of the computer may have been given to an outside entity, there is no guarantee that removing the package will remove all malicious software resulting from installing it.",
"id": "GHSA-mhxg-pr3j-v9gr",
"modified": "2021-10-01T20:59:03Z",
"published": "2020-09-03T19:41:22Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/1386"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
],
"summary": "Malicious Package in colne"
}
GHSA-MMPH-WP49-R48H
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2020-09-02 20:20 – Updated: 2021-10-01 14:02All versions of experss typosquatted a popular package of similar name and tracked users who had installed the incorrect package. The package uploaded information to a remote server including: name of the downloaded package, name of the intended package, the Node version and whether the process was running as sudo. There is no further compromise.
Recommendation
Remove the package from your dependencies and always ensure package names are typed correctly upon installation.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "npm",
"name": "experss"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-506"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2020-08-31T18:38:11Z",
"nvd_published_at": null,
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "All versions of `experss` typosquatted a popular package of similar name and tracked users who had installed the incorrect package. The package uploaded information to a remote server including: name of the downloaded package, name of the intended package, the Node version and whether the process was running as sudo. There is no further compromise.\n\n\n## Recommendation\n\nRemove the package from your dependencies and always ensure package names are typed correctly upon installation.",
"id": "GHSA-mmph-wp49-r48h",
"modified": "2021-10-01T14:02:46Z",
"published": "2020-09-02T20:20:26Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/852"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
],
"summary": "Malicious Package in experss"
}
GHSA-MP55-2274-4PJ8
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2020-09-03 21:54 – Updated: 2021-09-29 21:03Version 2.0.2 contained malicious code. The package targeted the Ethereum cryptocurrency and performed transactions to wallets not controlled by the user.
Recommendation
Remove the package from your environment. Ensure no Ethereum funds were compromised.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "npm",
"name": "buffer-xgr"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0.0.0"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-506"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2020-08-31T18:52:08Z",
"nvd_published_at": null,
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "Version 2.0.2 contained malicious code. The package targeted the Ethereum cryptocurrency and performed transactions to wallets not controlled by the user.\n\n\n## Recommendation\n\nRemove the package from your environment. Ensure no Ethereum funds were compromised.",
"id": "GHSA-mp55-2274-4pj8",
"modified": "2021-09-29T21:03:38Z",
"published": "2020-09-03T21:54:09Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/1244"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
],
"summary": "Malicious Package in buffer-xgr"
}
GHSA-MQ9H-CWC2-6J5R
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2020-09-03 17:42 – Updated: 2021-09-30 19:50All versions of midway-dataproxy contain malicious code. The package uploads system information to a remote server, downloads a file and executes it.
Recommendation
Any computer that has this package installed or running should be considered fully compromised. All secrets and keys stored on that computer should be rotated immediately from a different computer.
The package should be removed, but as full control of the computer may have been given to an outside entity, there is no guarantee that removing the package will remove all malicious software resulting from installing it.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "npm",
"name": "midway-dataproxy"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0.0.0"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-506"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2020-08-31T18:45:42Z",
"nvd_published_at": null,
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "All versions of `midway-dataproxy` contain malicious code. The package uploads system information to a remote server, downloads a file and executes it.\n\n\n## Recommendation\n\nAny computer that has this package installed or running should be considered fully compromised. All secrets and keys stored on that computer should be rotated immediately from a different computer.\n\nThe package should be removed, but as full control of the computer may have been given to an outside entity, there is no guarantee that removing the package will remove all malicious software resulting from installing it.",
"id": "GHSA-mq9h-cwc2-6j5r",
"modified": "2021-09-30T19:50:21Z",
"published": "2020-09-03T17:42:27Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/1056"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
],
"summary": "Malicious Package in midway-dataproxy"
}
GHSA-MQC2-PWJW-2W78
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-10-09 00:31 – Updated: 2025-10-09 00:31CCleaner v5.33.6162 and CCleaner Cloud v1.07.3191 (32-bit builds) contained a malicious pre-entry-point loader that diverts execution from __scrt_common_main_seh into a custom loader. That loader decodes an embedded blob into shellcode, allocates executable heap memory, resolves Windows API functions at runtime, and transfers execution to an in-memory payload. The payload performs anti-analysis checks, gathers host telemetry, encodes the data with a two-stage obfuscation, and attempts HTTPS exfiltration to hard-coded C2 servers or month-based DGA domains. Potential impacts include remote data collection and exfiltration, stealthy in-memory execution and persistence, and potential lateral movement. CCleaner was developed by Piriform, which was acquired by Avast in July 2017; Avast later merged with NortonLifeLock to form the parent company now known as Gen Digital. According to vendor advisories, the compromised CCleaner build was released on August 15, 2017 and remediated on September 12, 2017 with v5.34; the compromised CCleaner Cloud build was released on August 24, 2017 and remediated on September 15, 2017 with v1.07.3214.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2017-20201"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-506"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-10-08T22:15:30Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "CCleaner v5.33.6162 and CCleaner Cloud v1.07.3191 (32-bit builds) contained a malicious pre-entry-point loader that diverts execution from __scrt_common_main_seh into a custom loader. That loader decodes an embedded blob into shellcode, allocates executable heap memory, resolves Windows API functions at runtime, and transfers execution to an in-memory payload. The payload performs anti-analysis checks, gathers host telemetry, encodes the data with a two-stage obfuscation, and attempts HTTPS exfiltration to hard-coded C2 servers or month-based DGA domains. Potential impacts include remote data collection and exfiltration, stealthy in-memory execution and persistence, and potential lateral movement. CCleaner was developed by Piriform, which was acquired by Avast in July 2017; Avast later merged with NortonLifeLock to form the parent company now known as Gen Digital. According to vendor advisories, the compromised CCleaner build was released on August 15, 2017 and remediated on September 12, 2017 with v5.34; the compromised CCleaner Cloud build was released on August 24, 2017 and remediated on September 15, 2017 with v1.07.3214.",
"id": "GHSA-mqc2-pwjw-2w78",
"modified": "2025-10-09T00:31:06Z",
"published": "2025-10-09T00:31:06Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-20201"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://blog.avast.com/progress-on-ccleaner-investigation"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://blog.avast.com/update-to-the-ccleaner-5.33.6162-security-incident"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://blog.talosintelligence.com/avast-distributes-malware"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.ccleaner.com"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.ccleaner.com/knowledge/security-notification-ccleaner-v5336162-ccleaner-cloud-v1073191"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.crowdstrike.com/en-us/blog/protecting-software-supply-chain-deep-insights-ccleaner-backdoor"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.morphisec.com/blog/morphisec-discovers-ccleaner-backdoor"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/ccleaner-and-ccleaner-cloud-malicious-backdoor-supply-chain-compromise"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:H/SI:H/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
]
}
Mitigation
Remove the malicious code and start an effort to ensure that no more malicious code exists. This may require a detailed review of all code, as it is possible to hide a serious attack in only one or two lines of code. These lines may be located almost anywhere in an application and may have been intentionally obfuscated by the attacker.
CAPEC-442: Infected Software
An adversary adds malicious logic, often in the form of a computer virus, to otherwise benign software. This logic is often hidden from the user of the software and works behind the scenes to achieve negative impacts. Many times, the malicious logic is inserted into empty space between legitimate code, and is then called when the software is executed. This pattern of attack focuses on software already fielded and used in operation as opposed to software that is still under development and part of the supply chain.
CAPEC-448: Embed Virus into DLL
An adversary tampers with a DLL and embeds a computer virus into gaps between legitimate machine instructions. These gaps may be the result of compiler optimizations that pad memory blocks for performance gains. The embedded virus then attempts to infect any machine which interfaces with the product, and possibly steal private data or eavesdrop.
CAPEC-636: Hiding Malicious Data or Code within Files
Files on various operating systems can have a complex format which allows for the storage of other data, in addition to its contents. Often this is metadata about the file, such as a cached thumbnail for an image file. Unless utilities are invoked in a particular way, this data is not visible during the normal use of the file. It is possible for an attacker to store malicious data or code using these facilities, which would be difficult to discover.