Malicious code in chai-as-polished (npm)
--- _-= Per source details. Do not edit below this line.=-_ ## Source: amazon-inspector (b2ea0d46e0bb4382e8d684d025cb72b7f99e37874c571e9946ae1268b70be6cf) Package name is a one-edit typosquat of the widely-used chai-as-promised, but the shipped code is unrelated to chai. The exported middleware spawns a detached, unref'd child process running lib/initializeCaller.js. That file constructs a fake `process.env` containing three base64-encoded fields which decode to the URL https://tomato-brunhilda-40.tiiny.site/index.json and the header `x-secret-key: _`, fetches that URL via axios, and passes `response.data.cookie` to `new Function.constructor('require', response)(require)` — executing arbitrary attacker-supplied JavaScript with the installer's Node `require` available. The base64 staging of the URL and header has no functional purpose other than to hide the destination from cursory review. tiiny.site is an anonymous static-hosting service whose contents the author can change at any time, so the executed payload is fully attacker-controlled and mutable. Triggering requires a consumer to invoke the package's middleware, which is the documented entry point for anyone deceived by the name into installing it. ## Source: ghsa-malware (869d873d0e1d2cf40fe6383629d3c195a5d8aca6d93a67cc04c5f54eab38bf57) 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.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
The 'chai-as-polished' package (version 7.0.8) is a malicious typosquatting package designed to deceive users expecting 'chai-as-promised'. Its middleware spawns a detached, unreferenced child process that constructs a fake environment variable object containing base64-encoded data. This data decodes to a URL hosted on an anonymous static hosting service and a secret header. The package fetches JavaScript code from this URL using axios and executes it with Node's require function available, allowing arbitrary attacker-controlled code execution. The payload is fully mutable by the attacker, and execution requires invoking the package's middleware, the documented entry point. Systems with this package installed should be treated as fully compromised.
Potential Impact
Installation and execution of 'chai-as-polished' version 7.0.8 leads to arbitrary remote code execution controlled by an attacker. This results in full system compromise, including potential theft or manipulation of secrets, credentials, and other sensitive data. The attacker can execute any code with the privileges of the Node.js process, leading to complete loss of system integrity and confidentiality.
Mitigation Recommendations
Remove the 'chai-as-polished' package version 7.0.8 immediately from all systems. Rotate all secrets, keys, and credentials that were stored or accessible on affected systems, using a secure, uncompromised environment. Because the package enables full system compromise, assume that other malicious software may be present and conduct a thorough incident response. There is no official patch or fix; remediation requires removal and secret rotation.
Malicious code in chai-as-polished (npm)
Description
--- _-= Per source details. Do not edit below this line.=-_ ## Source: amazon-inspector (b2ea0d46e0bb4382e8d684d025cb72b7f99e37874c571e9946ae1268b70be6cf) Package name is a one-edit typosquat of the widely-used chai-as-promised, but the shipped code is unrelated to chai. The exported middleware spawns a detached, unref'd child process running lib/initializeCaller.js. That file constructs a fake `process.env` containing three base64-encoded fields which decode to the URL https://tomato-brunhilda-40.tiiny.site/index.json and the header `x-secret-key: _`, fetches that URL via axios, and passes `response.data.cookie` to `new Function.constructor('require', response)(require)` — executing arbitrary attacker-supplied JavaScript with the installer's Node `require` available. The base64 staging of the URL and header has no functional purpose other than to hide the destination from cursory review. tiiny.site is an anonymous static-hosting service whose contents the author can change at any time, so the executed payload is fully attacker-controlled and mutable. Triggering requires a consumer to invoke the package's middleware, which is the documented entry point for anyone deceived by the name into installing it. ## Source: ghsa-malware (869d873d0e1d2cf40fe6383629d3c195a5d8aca6d93a67cc04c5f54eab38bf57) 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 software
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AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The 'chai-as-polished' package (version 7.0.8) is a malicious typosquatting package designed to deceive users expecting 'chai-as-promised'. Its middleware spawns a detached, unreferenced child process that constructs a fake environment variable object containing base64-encoded data. This data decodes to a URL hosted on an anonymous static hosting service and a secret header. The package fetches JavaScript code from this URL using axios and executes it with Node's require function available, allowing arbitrary attacker-controlled code execution. The payload is fully mutable by the attacker, and execution requires invoking the package's middleware, the documented entry point. Systems with this package installed should be treated as fully compromised.
Potential Impact
Installation and execution of 'chai-as-polished' version 7.0.8 leads to arbitrary remote code execution controlled by an attacker. This results in full system compromise, including potential theft or manipulation of secrets, credentials, and other sensitive data. The attacker can execute any code with the privileges of the Node.js process, leading to complete loss of system integrity and confidentiality.
Mitigation Recommendations
Remove the 'chai-as-polished' package version 7.0.8 immediately from all systems. Rotate all secrets, keys, and credentials that were stored or accessible on affected systems, using a secure, uncompromised environment. Because the package enables full system compromise, assume that other malicious software may be present and conduct a thorough incident response. There is no official patch or fix; remediation requires removal and secret rotation.
Technical Details
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
- Osv Id
- MAL-2026-5901
- Osv Schema Version
- 1.7.4
- Aliases
- ["GHSA-jpr9-h23w-g7gg"]
- Ecosystems
- ["npm"]
- Database Specific Severity
- null
- Cvss Version
- null
Threat ID: 6a4c342c27e9c797195fa589
Added to database: 07/06/2026, 23:03:08 UTC
Last enriched: 07/06/2026, 23:23:51 UTC
Last updated: 07/18/2026, 17:27:21 UTC
Views: 7
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