# node-ipc hidden functionality and malicious payload injection

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/node-ipc-hidden-functionality-and-malicious-payload-injection-e7f1e671  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2022-03-16. Updated: 2026-09-25  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

Severity: info · CVSS 5.3 · Published 2022-03-16

node-ipc is a popular Node.js library for inter-process communication used by many applications. Version 9.2.2 included hidden malicious functionality that was not part of the legitimate package—specifically, code that writes unexpected files to disk beyond the library's stated purpose. This represents a supply-chain compromise where malicious code was introduced by the maintainer, potentially affecting any application that installed this version.

Technologies: [node-ipc (npm)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/node-ipc). Vendors: [npm](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/npm).

## Quick answers

**Is This vulnerability exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of This vulnerability being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is This vulnerability?** Informational severity, with a CVSS score of 5.3, published 16 March 2022.

**Which products and versions are affected?** node-ipc (npm) 9.2.2.

**Is there a fix for This vulnerability?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is This vulnerability attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected?** Check whether you run node-ipc (npm) at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

The vulnerability involves hidden functionality (CWE-912) introduced in node-ipc version 9.2.2 by the maintainer. A malicious dependency was added that writes files to disk unrelated to the package's core IPC functionality, bypassing user expectations and security policies. The attack requires no user interaction or authentication—simply installing or running the affected version executes the malicious code. Attackers can achieve arbitrary file writes, potentially enabling further compromise, data exfiltration, or persistence mechanisms. Versions prior to 9.2.2 are not affected; users should downgrade or patch to a corrected version.

## Affected products

- npm node-ipc 9.2.2

## Timeline

- 2022-03-16: disclosed: Vulnerability published in GitHub Advisory Database

## References

- [https://github.com/RIAEvangelist/node-ipc](https://github.com/RIAEvangelist/node-ipc)
- [https://github.com/RIAEvangelist/node-ipc/releases/tag/9.2.2](https://github.com/RIAEvangelist/node-ipc/releases/tag/9.2.2)

## Related threats

- [RIAEvangelist node-ipc unauthorized message delivery on desktop](https://junglewise.ai/threats/riaevangelist-node-ipc-unauthorized-message-delivery-on-desktop-4627ec5d)
- [npm node-ipc embedded malicious code](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2022-23812-npm-node-ipc-embedded-malicious-code)