MalwarePublished 9 Jul 2026Updated 1 Sep 2026

chain-async-dom (npm) · Malicious Code

Affects chain-async-domSource GCVE Database

Malicious package : remove chain-async-dom and rotate any secrets on hosts that installed it.

Data as of 12 Sep 2026, 19:31 UTC

Classification

Malicious package

Published to npm · OSV MAL-2026-10082

What to do

Remove chain-async-dom from every project, lockfile and image that pulls it in. Treat any host that installed it as compromised: rotate the credentials, tokens and keys it could read, from a clean machine.

Affected software

Product	Affected	Fixed in
npmchain-async-dom	Affected =1.3.6	Fixed in–

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Description

The npm package 'chain-async-dom' version 1.3.6 masquerades as a pino-compatible logger but contains malicious code that fetches and executes attacker-controlled JavaScript from an IPFS gateway. This results in arbitrary remote code execution with full access to the Node.js runtime, filesystem, network, and environment of the consumer. The package also includes additional mutable payload channels via embedded URLs, increasing the attack surface.

Impact

Consumers of the 'chain-async-dom' package version 1.3.6 are at risk of arbitrary remote code execution. The malicious code runs with the privileges of the Node.js process, potentially compromising the filesystem, network communications, environment variables, and overall system integrity. The attacker-controlled payload is mutable and delivered from decentralized IPFS and other URLs, making detection and mitigation more challenging.

Defensive guidance

Users should immediately cease using the 'chain-async-dom' package version 1.3.6 and remove it from their projects. Avoid installing or invoking this package. Monitor vendor advisories or trusted sources for any updates or official fixes. Given the nature of the malicious code, manual remediation involves removing the package and auditing affected systems for compromise.

Summary

The 'chain-async-dom' npm package (version 1.3.6) pretends to be a pino-compatible logger by mirroring pino's internal file structure. However, its main entry point exports a middleware function that spawns a detached subprocess executing a script (lib/vcall.js). This script retrieves JavaScript code from a hardcoded IPFS gateway URL and executes it dynamically using 'new Function.constructor', allowing the fetched code unrestricted access to the consumer's Node.js environment. Additional embedded URLs provide further mutable payload delivery mechanisms. This design enables attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely on systems that install and invoke this package as intended.

References

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What to do

Affected software

Description

AI analysisMachine-generated, updated 12 Sep 2026, 19:31 UTC

Technical details

References

Community reviews