CVE-2026-48159: use-reducer-async was vulnerable to malicious code execution via compromised commits
use-reducer-async is a React useReducer with async actions. Between 2026-05-18 16:29:52 and 2026-05-19 15:26:07, the default branch contained malicious commits da72edbde5705efcec6c62e0a3dcb73687b78dc8 through df07d5711458d8b46e11dd7afaaa21e88cafabfb that executed remote attacker-controlled code on developer machines during npm install. The commits were removed by force-push, but local clones, forks, and direct-SHA URLs may still contain them, and npm install against an affected checkout will still execute the code today. The package was not published to npm. src/install.js was added and wired into the postinstall script. It fetched a JavaScript payload from an attacker-controlled HTTPS endpoint (configurable via an environment variable), disabled TLS verification, and evaluated the response as code with require available. Execution was deliberately skipped on CI and cloud/serverless environments, targeting developer workstations. The second-stage payload was attacker-hosted and cannot be reconstructed. Assume full compromise of anything reachable from a Node process with the user's permissions. Those who ran npm install against an affected checkout on a developer machine on or after 2026-05-18 16:29:52 should treat the machine as compromised, rotate every credential the machine could reach, audit account activity since 2026-05-18 16:29:52, and clean local clones.
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Operational
Treat any developer machine that ran `npm install` against an affected checkout on or after 2026-05-18 16:29:52 as compromised.
- Operational
Rotate every credential that the compromised developer machine could reach.
- Operational
Audit account activity since 2026-05-18 16:29:52 on systems/accounts reachable by the compromised developer machines.
- Operational
Clean local clones/forks/direct-SHA checkouts that may still contain the malicious commits (da72edbde5705efcec6c62e0a3dcb73687b78dc8 through df07d5711458d8b46e11dd7afaaa21e88cafabfb) and re-clone from the corrected branch.
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-48159?
CVE-2026-48159 has a risk rating of 89.
What kind of vulnerability is CVE-2026-48159?
CVE-2026-48159 is a vulnerability that allows for malicious code execution via compromised commits.
Who is affected by CVE-2026-48159?
Users of the npm/use-reducer-async package who pulled from the default branch during the specified date range are affected by CVE-2026-48159.
How did CVE-2026-48159 occur?
CVE-2026-48159 occurred due to malicious commits added to the default branch of use-reducer-async between May 18 and May 19, 2026.
How do I fix CVE-2026-48159?
To fix CVE-2026-48159, update your use-reducer-async package to the latest secure version.