set-proto-chainnpm
Advisory published Updated
set-proto-chain is a confirmed malicious npm package (MAL-2026-6079) that typosquats a legitimate package to trick installs (malicious version 1.0.3). Do not install it — remove it immediately and rotate any exposed credentials.
Malicious code in set-proto-chain (npm)
What this malware does
lib/index.js contains a base64-encoded URL (decoding to https://jsonkeeper.com/b/BN77K, an anonymous mutable paste host) that is fetched via axios.get; the response's .data.cookie field is then written to the stdin of a detached node child process for execution. The top-level index.js calls getThetaInterface() unconditionally, and package.json declares postinstall: node index.js, so the fetch-and-execute path fires automatically on npm install as well as on require(). The fetched payload is attacker-controlled and can change at any time. The package additionally impersonates the legitimate proto-chain package (README header # proto-chain, runtime error messages referencing require('proto-chain')), making accidental installs more likely.
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
TyposquatFind it
Search your lockfiles and build artifacts for set-proto-chain (version 1.0.3).
If you installed it — respond
set-proto-chain is a typosquat — you almost certainly intended a legitimately-named package. Remove set-proto-chain, install the correct package, and rotate any secrets exposed during the install since post-install scripts may have already run.
Did it already run?
If set-proto-chain 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 set-proto-chain-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.