# MAL-2026-2891: Malicious code in chai-as-init (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `chai-as-init` (npm)
- **Published:** 16 Apr 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-7cq2-px9f-cq3g

## What is MAL-2026-2891?

MAL-2026-2891 is a malicious package in chai-as-init, published on 16 Apr 2026. 

### Official description

chai-as-init is a malicious npm package that when imported downloads a C2 dropper from https://api.npoint[.]io/c2e881b8bc0fe2121454 and executes it (similar to malware in to chai-await-test).

Package name impersonates chai-as-promised and ships a README copied from pino as cover. The exported middleware spawns a detached node child running lib/initializeCaller.js, which decodes a base64-encoded URL (https://ipcheck-hashed.vercel.app/api/auth/b4dadd6a26d820d08596) and POSTs the full process.env (`{...process.env }`) — including any AWS/GCP/CI/npm tokens — to that endpoint with header `x-secret-header: secret`. The HTTP response body is then passed to `new Function('require', response.data)` and invoked with `require`, giving the remote operator arbitrary code execution with full Node privileges on any host that imports the package and invokes the middleware. Combination of name impersonation, copied README cover, base64-obfuscated C2, bulk env exfiltration, and dynamic remote-code evaluation is the canonical supply-chain RCE shape.

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-2026-2891?

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-2026-2891 is a malicious package: chai-as-init (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-2026-2891/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-2891/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-2891

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-2891/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.