Common Weakness Enumeration

CWE-506

Allowed-with-Review

Embedded 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-5635-9MVJ-R6HP

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2020-09-03 02:34 – Updated: 2021-09-30 22:08
VLAI
Summary
Malicious Package in vue-backbone
Details

Version 0.1.2 of vue-backbone contained malicious code. The code when executed in the browser would enumerate password, cvc and cardnumber fields from forms and send the extracted values to https://js-metrics.com/minjs.php?pl=

Recommendation

Remove the package from your environment and evaluate your application to determine whether or not user data was compromised.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "npm",
        "name": "vue-backbone"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "0.1.2"
            },
            {
              "fixed": "0.1.3"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ],
      "versions": [
        "0.1.2"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "aliases": [],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-506"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": true,
    "github_reviewed_at": "2020-08-31T18:41:29Z",
    "nvd_published_at": null,
    "severity": "CRITICAL"
  },
  "details": "Version 0.1.2 of `vue-backbone` contained malicious code. The code when executed in the browser would enumerate password, cvc and cardnumber fields from forms and send the extracted values to `https://js-metrics.com/minjs.php?pl=`\n\n\n\n## Recommendation\n\nRemove the package from your environment and evaluate your application to determine whether or not user data was compromised.",
  "id": "GHSA-5635-9mvj-r6hp",
  "modified": "2021-09-30T22:08:21Z",
  "published": "2020-09-03T02:34:39Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/945"
    }
  ],
  "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 vue-backbone"
}

GHSA-563H-49V8-G7X4

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2020-09-03 23:17 – Updated: 2021-10-01 16:10
VLAI
Summary
Malicious Package in ks-sha3
Details

Version 0.8.0 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.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "npm",
        "name": "ks-sha3"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "0.0.0"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "aliases": [],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-506"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": true,
    "github_reviewed_at": "2020-08-31T18:54:15Z",
    "nvd_published_at": null,
    "severity": "CRITICAL"
  },
  "details": "Version 0.8.0 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-563h-49v8-g7x4",
  "modified": "2021-10-01T16:10:30Z",
  "published": "2020-09-03T23:17:01Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/1297"
    }
  ],
  "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 ks-sha3"
}

GHSA-5746-CM3P-FRRH

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-07-13 12:30 – Updated: 2024-04-04 06:07
VLAI
Details

Embedded malicious code vulnerability in Vision1210, in the build 5 of operating system version 4.3, which could allow a remote attacker to store base64-encoded malicious code in the device's data tables via the PCOM protocol, which can then be retrieved by a client and executed on the device.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2023-2003"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-506"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2023-07-13T12:15:09Z",
    "severity": "CRITICAL"
  },
  "details": "Embedded malicious code vulnerability in Vision1210, in the build 5 of operating system version 4.3, which could allow a remote attacker to store base64-encoded malicious code in the device\u0027s data tables via the PCOM protocol, which can then be retrieved by a client and executed on the device.\n\n",
  "id": "GHSA-5746-cm3p-frrh",
  "modified": "2024-04-04T06:07:09Z",
  "published": "2023-07-13T12:30:27Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-2003"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.hackplayers.com/2023/07/vulnerabilidad-vision1210-unitronics.html"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.incibe.es/en/incibe-cert/notices/aviso-sci/embedded-malicious-code-vulnerability-unitronics-vision1210"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-59X8-7WX6-4HJ9

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2020-09-03 17:47 – Updated: 2021-09-30 20:01
VLAI
Summary
Malicious Package in secure_identity_login_module
Details

All versions of secure_identity_login_module 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.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "npm",
        "name": "secure_identity_login_module"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "0.0.0"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "aliases": [],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-506"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": true,
    "github_reviewed_at": "2020-08-31T18:45:56Z",
    "nvd_published_at": null,
    "severity": "CRITICAL"
  },
  "details": "All versions of `secure_identity_login_module` 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-59x8-7wx6-4hj9",
  "modified": "2021-09-30T20:01:35Z",
  "published": "2020-09-03T17:47:52Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/1063"
    }
  ],
  "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 secure_identity_login_module"
}

GHSA-5CV7-R488-WC5X

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2018-09-17 20:39 – Updated: 2023-09-07 18:32
VLAI
Summary
noderequest is malware
Details

The noderequest package is a piece of malware that steals environment variables and sends them to attacker controlled locations.

All versions have been unpublished from the npm registry.

Recommendation

As this package is malware, if you find it installed in your environment, the real security concern is determining how it got there.

If you have found this 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 registry credentials, tokens, and any other sensitive credentials that may have been present in your environment variables.

Additionally, any service which may have been exposed via credentials in your environment variables, such as a database, should be reviewed for indicators of compromise as well.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "npm",
        "name": "noderequest"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "0"
            },
            {
              "last_affected": "1.0.2"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2017-16073"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-506"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": true,
    "github_reviewed_at": "2020-06-16T21:00:32Z",
    "nvd_published_at": null,
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "The `noderequest` package is a piece of malware that steals environment variables and sends them to attacker controlled locations. \n\nAll versions have been unpublished from the npm registry.\n\n\n## Recommendation\n\n\nAs this package is malware, if you find it installed in your environment, the real security concern is determining how it got there. \n\nIf you have found this 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 registry credentials, tokens, and any other sensitive credentials that may have been present in your environment variables. \n\nAdditionally, any service which may have been exposed via credentials in your environment variables, such as a database, should be reviewed for indicators of compromise as well.",
  "id": "GHSA-5cv7-r488-wc5x",
  "modified": "2023-09-07T18:32:19Z",
  "published": "2018-09-17T20:39:17Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-16073"
    },
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-5cv7-r488-wc5x"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/512"
    }
  ],
  "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": "noderequest is malware"
}

GHSA-5FM9-JMV7-FCX5

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2020-09-02 18:35 – Updated: 2021-10-01 13:47
VLAI
Summary
Malicious Package in asynnc
Details

All versions of asynnc 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.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "npm",
        "name": "asynnc"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "0"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "aliases": [],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-506"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": true,
    "github_reviewed_at": "2020-08-31T18:37:48Z",
    "nvd_published_at": null,
    "severity": "CRITICAL"
  },
  "details": "All versions of `asynnc` 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-5fm9-jmv7-fcx5",
  "modified": "2021-10-01T13:47:05Z",
  "published": "2020-09-02T18:35:26Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/842"
    }
  ],
  "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 asynnc"
}

GHSA-5FVM-P68V-5WMH

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-09-15 22:03 – Updated: 2025-09-15 22:03
VLAI
Summary
color-name@2.0.1 contains malware after npm account takeover
Details

Impact

On 8 September 2025, an npm publishing account for color-name was taken over after a phishing attack. Version 2.0.1 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.

Resources

  • 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, compromised publishing account owner: https://bsky.app/profile/bad-at-computer.bsky.social
  • debug repository, tracking issue (applies to all packages affected in the breach): https://github.com/debug-js/debug/issues/1005
Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "npm",
        "name": "color-name"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "2.0.1"
            },
            {
              "fixed": "2.0.2"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ],
      "versions": [
        "2.0.1"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2025-59145"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-506"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": true,
    "github_reviewed_at": "2025-09-15T22:03:28Z",
    "nvd_published_at": "2025-09-15T21:15:36Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "### Impact\nOn 8 September 2025, an npm publishing account for `color-name` was taken over after a phishing attack. Version `2.0.1` 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### Resources\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, compromised publishing account 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-5fvm-p68v-5wmh",
  "modified": "2025-09-15T22:03:28Z",
  "published": "2025-09-15T22:03:28Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/colorjs/color-name/security/advisories/GHSA-5fvm-p68v-5wmh"
    },
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-59145"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/debug-js/debug/issues/1005"
    },
    {
      "type": "PACKAGE",
      "url": "https://github.com/colorjs/color-name"
    },
    {
      "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-name@2.0.1 contains malware after npm account takeover"
}

GHSA-5GGX-G294-QJ3Q

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2020-09-03 21:47 – Updated: 2021-09-29 20:57
VLAI
Summary
Malicious Package in buffeb-xor
Details

Version 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.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "npm",
        "name": "buffeb-xor"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "0.0.0"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "aliases": [],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-506"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": true,
    "github_reviewed_at": "2020-08-31T18:51:57Z",
    "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-5ggx-g294-qj3q",
  "modified": "2021-09-29T20:57:42Z",
  "published": "2020-09-03T21:47:29Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/1239"
    }
  ],
  "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 buffeb-xor"
}

GHSA-5HXW-R847-QFWP

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2018-08-29 23:47 – Updated: 2023-09-07 18:31
VLAI
Summary
opencv.js is malware
Details

opencv.js was a malicious module published with the intent to hijack environment variables. It has been unpublished by npm.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "npm",
        "name": "opencv.js"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "0"
            },
            {
              "last_affected": "1.2.1"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2017-16066"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-506"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": true,
    "github_reviewed_at": "2020-06-16T21:16:22Z",
    "nvd_published_at": null,
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "opencv.js was a malicious module published with the intent to hijack environment variables. It has been unpublished by npm.",
  "id": "GHSA-5hxw-r847-qfwp",
  "modified": "2023-09-07T18:31:39Z",
  "published": "2018-08-29T23:47:07Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-16066"
    },
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-5hxw-r847-qfwp"
    }
  ],
  "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": "opencv.js is malware"
}

GHSA-5JGP-PG4F-Q8VJ

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2020-09-03 19:55 – Updated: 2021-09-30 20:27
VLAI
Summary
Malicious Package in node-ftp
Details

This 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.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "npm",
        "name": "node-ftp"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "0.0.0"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "aliases": [],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-506"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": true,
    "github_reviewed_at": "2020-08-31T18:48:36Z",
    "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-5jgp-pg4f-q8vj",
  "modified": "2021-09-30T20:27:21Z",
  "published": "2020-09-03T19:55:42Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/1137"
    }
  ],
  "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 node-ftp"
}

Mitigation
Implementation Operation

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.