# MAL-2026-13942: Malicious code in chai-as-reformed (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `chai-as-reformed` (npm)
- **Published:** 13 Aug 2026

## What is MAL-2026-13942?

MAL-2026-13942 is a malicious package in chai-as-reformed, published on 13 Aug 2026. 

### Official description

The package impersonates chai-as-promised and copies its README from pino, but its exported middleware spawns a detached `node lib/caller.js` process. caller.js base64-decodes a hardcoded jsonstorage.net URL (concealed together with an `x-secret-key` header name/value as base64 literals in a synthetic `process.env` object decoded with `atob`), fetches the JSON response, and passes its `cookie` field to `new Function.constructor("require", s)(require)`, executing attacker-controlled JavaScript in the host Node.js process with access to `require`. The remote payload is mutable and can be changed by the operator of the storage URL at any time.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-13942?

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-2026-13942 is a malicious package: chai-as-reformed (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-2026-13942/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-13942/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-13942

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-13942/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.