truffle-helpernpm
Advisory published Updated
truffle-helper is a confirmed malicious npm package (MAL-2026-3716) that executes malicious code on install (malicious versions 1.0.0, 2.0.0). Do not install it — remove it immediately and rotate any exposed credentials.
Malicious code in truffle-helper (npm)
What this malware does
package.json line 7 invokes require('child_process') and execSync('curl...') from an npm lifecycle script. This causes the installer's machine to fetch and execute remote content at install time, without user consent and without any visible integrity check. The package's declared purpose (a Truffle helper) has no legitimate need to pipe curl output through a shell during install. Any installer running npm install truffle-helper runs attacker-controlled commands on their host.
The OpenSSF Package Analysis project identified 'truffle-helper' @ 2.0.0 (npm) as malicious.
It is considered malicious because:
- The package executes one or more commands associated with malicious behavior.
Malicious versions
Indicators of compromise (SHA-256)
Detection & response playbook
Malicious packageFind it
Search your lockfiles and build artifacts for truffle-helper (2 malicious versions).
If you installed it — respond
Remove truffle-helper 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 truffle-helper 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
- OpenSSF: Package Analysis · finder
Detect & block this
O3 blocks truffle-helper-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.