CWE-506
Allowed-with-ReviewEmbedded Malicious Code
Abstraction: Class · Status: Incomplete
The product contains code that appears to be malicious in nature.
553 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-QMXF-FXQ7-W59F
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2020-09-01 19:43 – Updated: 2021-09-24 14:46Version 0.1.1 of angular-material-sidenav-rnd contained malicious code. The code when executed in the browser would enumerate password, cvc, cardnumber fields from forms and send the extracted values to https://js-metrics.com/minjs.php?pl=
Recommendation
If version 0.1.1 of this module is found installed you will want to replace it with a version before or after 0.1.1. In addition to replacing the installed module, you will also want to evaluate your application to determine whether or not user data was compromised.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "npm",
"name": "angular-material-sidenav-rnd"
},
"versions": [
"0.1.1"
]
}
],
"aliases": [],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-506"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2020-08-31T18:29:59Z",
"nvd_published_at": null,
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "Version 0.1.1 of `angular-material-sidenav-rnd` contained malicious code. The code when executed in the browser would enumerate password, cvc, cardnumber fields from forms and send the extracted values to `https://js-metrics.com/minjs.php?pl=`\n\n\n## Recommendation\n\nIf version 0.1.1 of this module is found installed you will want to replace it with a version before or after 0.1.1. In addition to replacing the installed module, you will also want to evaluate your application to determine whether or not user data was compromised.",
"id": "GHSA-qmxf-fxq7-w59f",
"modified": "2021-09-24T14:46:00Z",
"published": "2020-09-01T19:43:53Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/musabgosset/angular-material-sidenav"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/sovanna/angular-material-sidenav"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://snyk.io/vuln/SNYK-JS-ANGULARMATERIALSIDENAVRND-451015"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/615"
}
],
"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 angular-material-sidenav-rnd"
}
GHSA-QP6M-JQFR-2F7V
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2020-09-04 15:27 – Updated: 2021-10-01 20:17All 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": "babel-laoder"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0.0.0"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-506"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2020-08-31T18:55:55Z",
"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-qp6m-jqfr-2f7v",
"modified": "2021-10-01T20:17:24Z",
"published": "2020-09-04T15:27:11Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/babel/babel-loader"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://snyk.io/vuln/SNYK-JS-BABELLAODER-536195"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/1348"
}
],
"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 babel-laoder"
}
GHSA-QPRH-M6P3-HWXC
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-05-04 21:42 – Updated: 2026-05-04 21:42sui-execution-cut included a build script that attempted to exfiltrate data from the build machine.
The malicious crate had 1 version published on 2026-04-20 and had no evidence of actual usage. This crate had no dependencies on crates.io.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "crates.io",
"name": "sui-execution-cut"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-506"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2026-05-04T21:42:55Z",
"nvd_published_at": null,
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "`sui-execution-cut` included a build script that attempted to exfiltrate data from the build machine.\n\nThe malicious crate had 1 version published on 2026-04-20 and had no evidence of actual usage. This crate had no dependencies on crates.io.",
"id": "GHSA-qprh-m6p3-hwxc",
"modified": "2026-05-04T21:42:55Z",
"published": "2026-05-04T21:42:55Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/MystenLabs/sui"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://rustsec.org/advisories/RUSTSEC-2026-0108.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [],
"summary": "`sui-execution-cut` was removed from crates.io for malicious code"
}
GHSA-QRMH-QG46-72PP
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-09-15 21:29 – Updated: 2025-09-15 21:59Impact
On 8 September 2025, the npm publishing account for color was taken over after a phishing attack. Version 5.0.1 was published, functionally identical to the previous patch version, but with a malware payload added attempting to redirect cryptocurrency transactions to the attacker's own addresses from within browser environments.
Local environments, server environments, command line applications, etc. are not affected. If the package was used in a browser context (e.g. a direct <script> inclusion, or via a bundling tool such as Babel, Rollup, Vite, Next.js, etc.) there is a chance the malware still exists and such bundles will need to be rebuilt.
The malware seemingly only targets cryptocurrency transactions and wallets such as MetaMask. See references below for more information on the payload.
Patches
npm removed the offending package from the registry over the course of the day on 8 September, preventing further downloads from npm proper.
On 13 September, the package owner published new patch versions to help cache-bust those using private registries who might still have the compromised version cached. This version is functionally identical to the previously known-good version, published as a patch version bump above the compromised version.
Users should update to the latest patch version, completely remove their node_modules directory, clean their package manager's global cache, and rebuild any browser bundles from scratch.
Those operating private registries or registry mirrors should purge the offending versions from any caches.
References
- https://www.aikido.dev/blog/npm-debug-and-chalk-packages-compromised
- https://socket.dev/blog/npm-author-qix-compromised-in-major-supply-chain-attack
- https://www.ox.security/blog/npm-packages-compromised/
Point of Contact
In the event suspicious behavior is still observed for the package listed in this security advisory after performing all of the above cleaning operations (see Patches above), please reach out via one of the following channels of communication:
- Bluesky, package owner: https://bsky.app/profile/bad-at-computer.bsky.social
debugrepository, tracking issue (applies to all packages affected in the breach): https://github.com/debug-js/debug/issues/1005
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "npm",
"name": "color"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "5.0.1"
},
{
"fixed": "5.0.2"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
],
"versions": [
"5.0.1"
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-59143"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-506"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2025-09-15T21:29:40Z",
"nvd_published_at": "2025-09-15T20:15:38Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "### Impact\nOn 8 September 2025, the npm publishing account for `color` was taken over after a phishing attack. Version `5.0.1` was published, functionally identical to the previous patch version, but with a malware payload added attempting to redirect cryptocurrency transactions to the attacker\u0027s own addresses from within browser environments.\n\nLocal environments, server environments, command line applications, etc. are not affected. If the package was used in a browser context (e.g. a direct `\u003cscript\u003e` inclusion, or via a bundling tool such as Babel, Rollup, Vite, Next.js, etc.) there is a chance the malware still exists and such bundles will need to be rebuilt.\n\nThe malware seemingly only targets cryptocurrency transactions and wallets such as MetaMask. See references below for more information on the payload.\n\n### Patches\nnpm removed the offending package from the registry over the course of the day on 8 September, preventing further downloads from npm proper.\n\nOn 13 September, the package owner published new patch versions to help cache-bust those using private registries who might still have the compromised version cached. This version is functionally identical to the previously known-good version, published as a patch version bump above the compromised version.\n\nUsers should update to the latest patch version, completely remove their `node_modules` directory, clean their package manager\u0027s global cache, and rebuild any browser bundles from scratch.\n\nThose operating private registries or registry mirrors should purge the offending versions from any caches.\n\n### References\n- https://www.aikido.dev/blog/npm-debug-and-chalk-packages-compromised\n- https://socket.dev/blog/npm-author-qix-compromised-in-major-supply-chain-attack\n- https://www.ox.security/blog/npm-packages-compromised/\n\n### Point of Contact\nIn the event suspicious behavior is still observed for the package listed in this security advisory after performing all of the above cleaning operations (see _Patches_ above), please reach out via one of the following channels of communication:\n\n- Bluesky, package owner: https://bsky.app/profile/bad-at-computer.bsky.social\n- `debug` repository, tracking issue (applies to all packages affected in the breach): https://github.com/debug-js/debug/issues/1005",
"id": "GHSA-qrmh-qg46-72pp",
"modified": "2025-09-15T21:59:07Z",
"published": "2025-09-15T21:29:40Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/Qix-/color/security/advisories/GHSA-qrmh-qg46-72pp"
},
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-59143"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/debug-js/debug/issues/1005"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/Qix-/color"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://socket.dev/blog/npm-author-qix-compromised-in-major-supply-chain-attack"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.aikido.dev/blog/npm-debug-and-chalk-packages-compromised"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.ox.security/blog/npm-packages-compromised"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:L/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:A/U:Red",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
],
"summary": "color@5.0.1 contains malware after npm account takeover"
}
GHSA-QV2G-99X4-45X6
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2021-01-29 18:12 – Updated: 2021-01-29 18:11The npm discord-fix package has been identified as malicious and removed from the npm package registry.
Remediation
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": "discord-fix"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0.0.0"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-506"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2021-01-29T18:11:36Z",
"nvd_published_at": null,
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "The npm `discord-fix` package has been identified as malicious and removed from the npm package registry.\n\n## Remediation\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. 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.",
"id": "GHSA-qv2g-99x4-45x6",
"modified": "2021-01-29T18:11:36Z",
"published": "2021-01-29T18:12:07Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://blog.sonatype.com/sonatype-spots-more-discord-malware-in-npm?hs_preview=BbDPGbfh-40737456755"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/1597"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [],
"summary": "Malicious npm package: discord-fix"
}
GHSA-QV78-398W-CXP7
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2020-09-11 21:08 – Updated: 2021-09-30 22:00All versions of shrugging-logging contain malicious code as a postinstall script. The package fetches all names of npm packages owned by the user and attempts to add another maintainer to every package as a means of package hijacking,
Recommendation
Remove the package from your system. If you own any packages that were compromised please contact npm security immediately at security@npmjs.com. Also enable 2FA for publishing to further secure packages you maintain.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "npm",
"name": "shrugging-logging"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-506"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2020-08-31T18:40:36Z",
"nvd_published_at": null,
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "All versions of `shrugging-logging` contain malicious code as a postinstall script. The package fetches all names of npm packages owned by the user and attempts to add another maintainer to every package as a means of package hijacking,\n\n\n## Recommendation\n\nRemove the package from your system. If you own any packages that were compromised please contact npm security immediately at security@npmjs.com. Also enable 2FA for publishing to further secure packages you maintain.",
"id": "GHSA-qv78-398w-cxp7",
"modified": "2021-09-30T22:00:05Z",
"published": "2020-09-11T21:08:19Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/920"
}
],
"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 shrugging-logging"
}
GHSA-QXRJ-X7RM-2H49
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2020-09-03 17:05 – Updated: 2021-10-01 21:01All 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": "dhkey"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0.0.0"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-506"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2020-08-31T18:57:41Z",
"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-qxrj-x7rm-2h49",
"modified": "2021-10-01T21:01:13Z",
"published": "2020-09-03T17:05:59Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/1394"
}
],
"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 dhkey"
}
GHSA-R2RG-683G-FF96
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2020-09-03 19:40 – Updated: 2021-09-30 20:11This package contained malicious code. The package uploaded system information such as OS and hostname to a remote server.
Recommendation
Remove the package from your environment. There are no indications of further compromise.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "npm",
"name": "axios-http"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0.0.0"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-506"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2020-08-31T18:48:03Z",
"nvd_published_at": null,
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "This package contained malicious code. The package uploaded system information such as OS and hostname to a remote server.\n\n\n## Recommendation\n\nRemove the package from your environment. There are no indications of further compromise.",
"id": "GHSA-r2rg-683g-ff96",
"modified": "2021-09-30T20:11:07Z",
"published": "2020-09-03T19:40:12Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/1123"
}
],
"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 axios-http"
}
GHSA-R742-7J4H-HJR8
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2020-09-03 23:27 – Updated: 2021-10-01 17:07All versions of arsenic-tabasco-cyborg-peanut-butter contain malicious code. The package downloads and runs a script that opens a reverse shell in the system.
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": "arsenic-tabasco-cyborg-peanut-butter"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0.0.0"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-506"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2020-08-31T18:54:46Z",
"nvd_published_at": null,
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "All versions of `arsenic-tabasco-cyborg-peanut-butter` contain malicious code. The package downloads and runs a script that opens a reverse shell in the system.\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-r742-7j4h-hjr8",
"modified": "2021-10-01T17:07:41Z",
"published": "2020-09-03T23:27:36Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/1313"
}
],
"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 arsenic-tabasco-cyborg-peanut-butter"
}
GHSA-R7VF-6C3R-53C3
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-10-07 21:31 – Updated: 2025-10-09 18:30NetSarang Xmanager Enterprise 5.0 Build 1232, Xmanager 5.0 Build 1045, Xshell 5.0 Build 1322, Xftp 5.0 Build 1218, and Xlpd 5.0 Build 1220 contain a malicious nssock2.dll that implements a multi-stage, DNS-based backdoor. The dormant library contacts a C2 DNS server via a specially crafted TXT record for a month‑generated domain. After receiving a decryption key, it then downloads and executes arbitrary code, creates an encrypted virtual file system (VFS) in the registry, and grants the attacker full remote code execution, data exfiltration, and persistence. NetSarang released builds for each product line that remediated the compromise: Xmanager Enterprise Build 1236, Xmanager Build 1049, Xshell Build 1326, Xftp Build 1222, and Xlpd Build 1224. Kaspersky Lab identified an instance of exploitation in the wild in August 2017.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-34252"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-506"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-10-07T21:15:38Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "NetSarang Xmanager Enterprise 5.0 Build 1232,\u00a0Xmanager 5.0 Build 1045,\u00a0Xshell 5.0 Build 1322,\u00a0Xftp 5.0 Build 1218, and Xlpd 5.0 Build 1220 contain a malicious nssock2.dll that implements a multi-stage, DNS-based backdoor. The dormant library contacts a C2 DNS server via a specially crafted TXT record for a month\u2011generated domain. After receiving a decryption key, it then downloads and executes arbitrary code, creates an encrypted virtual file system (VFS) in the registry, and grants the attacker full remote code execution, data exfiltration, and persistence. NetSarang released builds for each product line that remediated the compromise: Xmanager Enterprise Build 1236, Xmanager Build 1049, Xshell Build 1326, Xftp Build 1222, and Xlpd Build 1224. Kaspersky Lab identified an instance of exploitation in the wild in August 2017.",
"id": "GHSA-r7vf-6c3r-53c3",
"modified": "2025-10-09T18:30:29Z",
"published": "2025-10-07T21:31:08Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-34252"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://securelist.com/shadowpad-in-corporate-networks/81432"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://usa.kaspersky.com/about/press-releases/shadowpad-attackers-hid-backdoor-in-software-used-by-hundreds-of-large-companies-worldwide"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20181022035109/https://www.netsarang.com/news/security_exploit_in_july_18_2017_build.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/netsarang-malicious-backdoor-supply-chain-compromise"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H/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.