# MAL-2026-13700: Malicious code in chai-as-deployer (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `chai-as-deployer` (npm)
- **Published:** 10 Aug 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-6q3r-v92v-89p4, GHSA-7qqp-m577-rp2w, SNYK-JS-CHAIASDEPLOYER-18609744

## What is MAL-2026-13700?

MAL-2026-13700 is a malicious package in chai-as-deployer, published on 10 Aug 2026. 

### Official description

The package is published as `chai-as-deployer` but its tarball contains verbatim pino README/docs/type-definitions while the advertised chai plugin is a no-op Express middleware (`return (_req,_res,next) => { next(); }`). index.js unconditionally executes `require('./lib/config')` at module top level, loading a ~3.5MB single-line obfuscator.io-style bundle (rotated string array, decoder functions, hex-escaped identifiers) that has no relationship to pino or the advertised functionality. The obfuscated body contains `require`, `exec`, `spawn`, and `axios` tokens, indicating the decoded code drives child-process execution and outbound HTTP requests. Any consumer that imports `chai-as-deployer` triggers this payload with no further action. Author metadata is generic (`Harrison Thorn <harrisonthorn@protonmail.com>`, bugs URL `harrisonthorn.com`) and the package description is unrelated boilerplate. The combination of cover-story impersonation, no legitimate functionality, top-level require of a heavily obfuscated bundle, and shell+network primitives inside that bundle is the canonical shape of an import-time stealer/loader.

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.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-13700?

Remove the package from your dependencies and lockfiles, then rotate any secrets on machines where it was installed.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
MAL-2026-13700 is a malicious package: chai-as-deployer (npm). Every version was published to cause harm.

Task:
1. Search this repository's dependency manifests and lockfiles for the package, including transitive dependencies.
2. If it is present, remove it, regenerate the lockfile with the project's package manager, and replace whatever it was used for.
3. List any CI runners, developer machines or containers that installed it, so their secrets can be rotated.
4. If the package is not used anywhere, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-13700/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-13700/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-13700

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-13700/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.