Critical Malicious Code Vulnerability in chai-auth Package
Summary
MAL-2025-191472: Malicious code in chai-auth (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The chai-auth package is a Node.js library used for authentication in web applications. It provides a simple and flexible way to manage user authentication and authorization. However, this package has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises the security of any system where it is installed.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the presence of embedded malicious code within the chai-auth package. This code can fully compromise any computer that has the package installed, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive information such as secrets and keys. The ramifications of this vulnerability are severe, as it could lead to data breaches and loss of control over the affected systems. Users are advised to treat any system with this package as fully compromised.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall chai-authIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
There are no effective workarounds for this vulnerability. The only solution is to remove the package and secure the system.
Conclusion
The discovery of malicious code in the chai-auth package poses a significant threat to users and their systems. Immediate action is required to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability. Users should remove the package, rotate their secrets, and consider using tools like Vulert for ongoing vulnerability monitoring.
See every vulnerability recorded for chai-auth →
FAQ
You should remove the chai-auth package immediately and rotate any secrets or keys stored on the affected system.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
Failing to address this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data and full control of your system by malicious actors.
Yes, Vulert can monitor and alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities using just your package-lock.json file.
After removing the package, ensure to rotate all secrets and keys and monitor your system for any unusual activity.
