Security Bulletin
Summary
Due to an Axios supply chain attack, a fix for IBM Node.js SDK Core (https://github.com/IBM/node-sdk-core) was made available on April 2, 2026 ~ 21:03 UTC to mitigate the attack. If you used a previous version there is a possibility the affected Axios package could have been available on your build system. The affected time frame of the Axios package is between March 31, 2026 ~. 00:20 UTC and ~ 03:00 UTC. If there was any use or build of the IBM Node.js SDK Core code prior to the mitigate version, then IBM recommends you review your environment for the the affected Axios package (reference below).
Vulnerability Details
CVEID: MSC-2026-3522
Description: The plain-crypto-js npm package version 4.2.1 contains a malicious post install script that deploys a cross-platform remote access trojan (RAT). When installed, the script contacts a remote C2 server to deliver second-stage payloads for macOS, Windows, and Linux, then deletes itself and replaces its package.json with a clean decoy to hinder forensic analysis. This package was injected as a hidden dependency into the compromised axios releases 1.14.1 and 0.30.4. Users of plain-crypto-js 4.2.1 or axios 1.14.1 and 0.30.4 are advised to treat affected systems as fully compromised. Axios users should pin to axios@1.14.0 (1.x) or axios@0.29.0 (0.x).
CWE: CWE-506: Embedded Malicious Code
CVSS Source: Mend
CVSS Base score: 9.6
CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H)
Affected Products and Versions
| Affected Product | Affected Version |
| IBM OpenAPI SDK Generator (Node.js) | 5.4.9 |
Remediation/Fixes
IBM strongly recommends addressing the Axios supply chain attack now by upgrading to IBM OpenAPI SDK Generator (Node.js), https://github.com/IBM/node-sdk-core/releases/tag/v5.4.10
Workarounds and Mitigations
None
Get Notified about Future Security Bulletins
References
Change History
04 April 2026: Initial publication
*The CVSS Environment Score is customer environment specific and will ultimately impact the Overall CVSS Score. Customers can evaluate the impact of this vulnerability in their environments by accessing the links in the Reference section of this Security Bulletin.
Disclaimer
According to the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST), the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) is an "industry open standard designed to convey vulnerability severity and help to determine urgency and priority of response." IBM PROVIDES THE CVSS SCORES ""AS IS"" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. CUSTOMERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF ANY ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL SECURITY VULNERABILITY. In addition to other efforts to address potential vulnerabilities, IBM periodically updates the record of components contained in our product offerings. As part of that effort, if IBM identifies previously unidentified packages in a product/service inventory, we address relevant vulnerabilities regardless of CVE date. Inclusion of an older CVEID does not demonstrate that the referenced product has been used by IBM since that date, nor that IBM was aware of a vulnerability as of that date. We are making clients aware of relevant vulnerabilities as we become aware of them. "Affected Products and Versions" referenced in IBM Security Bulletins are intended to be only products and versions that are supported by IBM and have not passed their end-of-support or warranty date. Thus, failure to reference unsupported or extended-support products and versions in this Security Bulletin does not constitute a determination by IBM that they are unaffected by the vulnerability. Reference to one or more unsupported versions in this Security Bulletin shall not create an obligation for IBM to provide fixes for any unsupported or extended-support products or versions.
Document Location
Worldwide
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Document Information
Modified date:
04 April 2026
Initial Publish date:
04 April 2026
UID
ibm17268541