hardhat-nodenpm
Advisory published Updated
hardhat-node is a confirmed malicious npm package (MAL-2026-1053) that executes malicious code on install (malicious versions 1.0.1, 1.0.2). Do not install it — remove it immediately and rotate any exposed credentials.
Malicious code in hardhat-node (npm)
What this malware does
The package hardhat-node was found to contain malicious code.
The OpenSSF Package Analysis project identified 'hardhat-node' @ 1.0.2 (npm) as malicious.
It is considered malicious because:
- The package communicates with a domain associated with malicious activity.
Malicious versions
Indicators of compromise (SHA-256)
Detection & response playbook
Malicious packageFind it
Search your lockfiles and build artifacts for hardhat-node (2 malicious versions).
If you installed it — respond
Remove hardhat-node from your project and lockfile, then assume any secrets accessible to the build or runtime were exposed: rotate API keys, tokens, and credentials, and audit for unexpected outbound activity or persistence.
Did it already run?
If hardhat-node 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
Credits
- Amazon Inspector · finder
- OpenSSF: Package Analysis · finder
Detect & block this
O3 blocks hardhat-node-class packages before install and in CI — and if it already ran, its runtime egress monitoring catches the malicious outbound activity and severs the channel.