Critical Malicious Code Vulnerability in chai-as-pause Package
Summary
MAL-2026-1013: Malicious code in chai-as-pause (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The chai-as-pause package is a utility for the npm ecosystem that allows developers to pause execution in tests using the Chai assertion library. It is designed to enhance testing capabilities by providing a simple interface for asynchronous testing. However, this package has been compromised, leading to severe security implications for any system utilizing it.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the presence of malicious code embedded within the chai-as-pause package. This code can fully compromise any computer that has the package installed or running, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive information such as secrets and keys. The ramifications of this vulnerability are significant, as it may lead to data breaches and loss of control over the affected systems.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall chai-as-pauseIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
There are no effective workarounds for this vulnerability other than removing the package entirely. It is recommended to avoid using chai-as-pause until a secure version is released.
Conclusion
The chai-as-pause package has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises the security of any system using it. Immediate action is required to uninstall the package and secure any sensitive information. Regular monitoring for vulnerabilities, such as through Vulert, can help maintain the security of your applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for chai-as-pause →
FAQ
You should uninstall the chai-as-pause package immediately and rotate any sensitive information stored on the affected system.
You can use Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
Currently, there is no patched version available for the chai-as-pause package.
Failing to address this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data and complete compromise of the affected systems.
It is strongly advised to avoid using chai-as-pause until a secure version is released, as it poses a significant security risk.
