chain-sdk-jsnpm
Advisory published Updated
chain-sdk-js is a confirmed malicious npm package (MAL-2026-10608) that steals credentials and exfiltrates sensitive data (malicious versions 1.0.2, 1.0.3, 1.0.4…). Do not install it — remove it immediately and rotate any exposed credentials.
Malicious code in chain-sdk-js (npm)
What this malware does
chain-sdk-js is a typosquat of @thetalabs/theta-js (package name, description, author 'Theta Labs', and bundle filenames thetajs.cjs.js/thetajs.umd.js all mimic the legitimate SDK). The package's main entry, executed on require/import in cjs, esm, and umd builds, DES-decrypts an opaque blob (rsa.db) loaded from the co-installed dependency thedata (^1.0.1) using the hardcoded password 'hydra', then spawns a node child process and pipes the decrypted bytes into its stdin for execution (child_process.spawn('node', [], {...}); rsa_exec.stdin.write(String(rsaDecrypted))). Splitting the loader from the encrypted payload into a separately-published dependency (node_modules/thedata/apps/docs/app/rsa.db and des.db) hides the actual code that runs from static inspection of this tarball. The dist bundles also contain hardcoded POST/fetch call sites consistent with outbound network activity from the executed payload. Any consumer that installs and imports this package runs attacker-controlled code with the installer's privileges; the typosquat targets Theta blockchain developers who handle wallet and private-key material.
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.
Malicious versions
Indicators of compromise (SHA-256)
Detection & response playbook
Credential / info stealerFind it
Search your lockfiles and build artifacts for chain-sdk-js (5 malicious versions).
If you installed it — respond
chain-sdk-js is built to steal secrets, so assume every credential the build or runtime could read is compromised. Remove it from your project and lockfile, then rotate ALL exposed secrets — npm/registry tokens, cloud keys, CI/CD secrets, SSH keys, and any .env values — from a known-clean machine. Audit logs for unauthorized use of those credentials.
Did it already run?
If chain-sdk-js was installed, its post-install payload may already have run. Removing the package does not undo that — check outbound connections and credential use from the install window onward.
Frequently asked questions
Campaign
References
Credits
- Amazon Inspector · finder
Detect & block this
O3 blocks chain-sdk-js-class packages before install and in CI — and if it already ran, its runtime egress monitoring catches the credential exfiltration and severs the channel.