@a11ign/screenreader-worker@0.13.5
Drives a real NVDA screen reader through real navigation on Windows and returns what it announced. The HTTP contract is the API.
AI Security Review
scanned 4d ago · by lpm-firewall-aiThe startup path automatically invokes a Windows helper that makes broad system changes and attempts to disable Defender. This is concrete destructive behavior and warrants blocking.
Static reason
One or more suspicious static signals were detected.; source matched previously finalized malicious package; routed for review; previous stored version diff introduced dangerous source
Trigger
Starting the worker on Windows, unless A11Y_SKIP_TRIM=1 is set.
Impact
System services and apps may be removed or disabled, and real-time malware protection may be turned off.
Mechanism
The worker launches a detached helper; the helper applies system changes and attempts a highest-privilege scheduled-task handoff when not elevated.
Attack narrative
Starting the worker on Windows automatically launches a detached trimming helper unless an environment variable disables it. The helper can remove provisioned apps and disable and stop selected services. If the process lacks elevation, it attempts to register and start a highest-privilege scheduled task. The helper also attempts to disable Defender real-time monitoring. These broad system changes occur as part of worker startup without a separate user confirmation.
AI rationale
The startup path automatically invokes a Windows helper that makes broad system changes and attempts to disable Defender. This is concrete destructive behavior and warrants blocking.
Evidence
dist/server.mjsdist/windows-trim.mjs
Decision evidence
public snapshotAI called this Malicious at 98.0% confidence as Malware with low false-positive risk.
Evidence for block
- On Windows, server startup launches trimming unless A11Y_SKIP_TRIM=1 is set.
- The trimming helper starts automatically during worker startup.
- If the process lacks elevation, the helper registers and starts a highest-privilege scheduled task for the current user.
- The helper removes selected provisioned apps and disables and stops selected Windows services.
- When run as a helper, it attempts to disable Windows Defender real-time monitoring.
Evidence against
Behavioral surface
ChildProcessCryptoEnvironmentVarsFilesystemNetworkWebSocket
HighEntropyStringsMinified
CopyleftLicense
Source & flagged code
6 flagged · loading sourcedist/windows-trim.mjsView file
1import { execFileSync } from "node:child_process";
L2: import { readFileSync, writeFileSync } from "node:fs";
High
Child Process
Package source references child process execution.
dist/windows-trim.mjsView on unpkg · L1dist/server.mjsView file
1Cross-file remote execution chain: dist/server.mjs spawns dist/src_capture-core_ts.mjs; helper contains network access plus dynamic code execution.
L1: import { createServer } from "node:http";
L2: import { appendFileSync, existsSync, openSync, readFileSync, readdirSync, realpathSync, renameSync, statSync, statfsSync, writeFileSync } from "node:fs";
L3: import { execFile, execFileSync, spawn } from "node:child_process";
L4: import { promisify } from "node:util";
...
L8: import { extname, join, resolve as external_node_path_resolve } from "node:path";
L9: import { inflateRawSync } from "node:zlib";
L10: import { randomUUID } from "node:crypto";
...
L22: function powershellValue(script) {
L23: if ("win32" !== process.platform) return "unknown";
L24: try {
...
L47: try {
L48: const { stdout }
High
Cross File Remote Execution Context
Source spawns a local helper that also contains network and dynamic execution context; review data flow before blocking.
dist/server.mjsFindings
1 Critical4 High4 Medium4 Low
CriticalPrevious Version Dangerous Deltadist/src_auth-flow_ts.mjs
HighChild Processdist/windows-trim.mjs
HighCross File Remote Execution Contextdist/server.mjs
HighKnown Malware Source Similaritydist/server.mjs
HighKnown Malware Source Similaritydist/src_capture-core_ts.mjs
MediumNetwork
MediumEnvironment Vars
MediumShips Build Helperlauncher/apply-foreground-lock-timeout.ps1
MediumStructural Risk Force Deep Review
LowScripts Present
LowFilesystem
LowHigh Entropy Strings
LowCopyleft License
Affected versions and remediation
This report applies to @a11ign/screenreader-worker@0.13.5.
See all versions of @a11ign/screenreader-worker for other recorded verdicts.
- Avoid installing @a11ign/screenreader-worker@0.13.5. Remove it from direct dependencies and check your lockfile for transitive copies.
- Choose an independently verified alternative or release. This report does not establish that other versions are safe.
- If this version ran, investigate the affected machine and build environment. Rotate credentials it could access and rebuild from a trusted environment.
Evidence last updated: .
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