@kerno/cli@0.1.26
Kerno CLI - Local backend validation for AI-generated code, against your real stack.
AI Security Review
scanned 3mo ago · by lpm-firewall-aiThe postinstall hook is benign, while the CLI intentionally provides an unsigned remote installer. Treat this as a dangerous unresolved capability requiring a warning, not confirmed malware.
Static reason
High-risk behavior combination matched malicious policy.
Trigger
User runs `kerno init` and the Kerno agent is missing, outdated, or force-updated.
Impact
A compromised referenced GitHub content source could execute arbitrary code as the invoking user.
Mechanism
download-and-execute remote shell installer
AI rationale
The postinstall hook is benign, while the CLI intentionally provides an unsigned remote installer. Treat this as a dangerous unresolved capability requiring a warning, not confirmed malware.
Evidence
package.jsonpostinstall.cjscli.js~/.kernotemporary install.<shell>
Network endpoints1
raw.githubusercontent.com/kernoio/kerno-agent-runtimes/2026.8.10/install.<shell>
Decision evidence
public snapshotAI called this Suspicious at 91.0% confidence as Dangerous Capability with low false-positive risk.
Evidence for warning
- cli.js downloads a GitHub install script and runs it with bash or PowerShell.
- The downloaded script has no visible checksum/signature verification.
- The spawned installer inherits process.env.
- Remote execution is reachable through explicit `kerno init` when the agent is absent or updated.
Evidence against
- postinstall.cjs only prints an install banner.
- Remote installer URL is pinned to embedded agent version 2026.8.10.
- MCP configuration is displayed for the user; no foreign agent config is written.
- No source-confirmed credential harvesting or destructive behavior was found.
Behavioral surface
ChildProcessEnvironmentVarsFilesystemShell
HighEntropyStringsUrlStrings
NoLicense
Source & flagged code
11 flaggedpackage.jsonView file
•scripts.postinstall = node postinstall.cjs
High
Install Time Lifecycle Scripts
Package defines install-time lifecycle scripts.
package.jsonView on unpkg•scripts.postinstall = node postinstall.cjs
Medium
Ambiguous Install Lifecycle Script
Install-time lifecycle script is not statically allowlisted and needs review.
package.jsonView on unpkgcli.jsView file
318"use strict";
L319: if (process.env.NODE_ENV !== "production") {
L320: (function() {
...
L546: isMounted: ["isMounted", "Instead, make sure to clean up subscriptions and pending requests in componentWillUnmount to prevent memory leaks."],
L547: replaceState: ["replaceState", "Refactor your code to use setState instead (see https://github.com/facebook/react/issues/3236)."]
L548: };
...
L2023: var thenable = {
L2024: then: function(resolve4, reject) {
L2025: wasAwaited = true;
...
L2211: ];
L2212: if (process.platform !== "win32") {
L2213: module.exports.push(
Findings
2 Critical6 High5 Medium5 Low
CriticalRemote Asset Decode Executecli.js
CriticalTrigger Reachable Dangerous Capabilitycli.js
HighInstall Time Lifecycle Scriptspackage.json
HighChild Processcli.js
HighShellcli.js
HighSame File Env Network Executioncli.js
HighCommand Output Exfiltrationcli.js
HighSemantic Analysis Limitedcli.js
MediumAmbiguous Install Lifecycle Scriptpackage.json
MediumEnvironment Vars
MediumOversized Source Filecli.js
MediumOversized Cli Entrypointcli.js
MediumStructural Risk Force Deep Review
Affected versions and remediation
This report applies to @kerno/cli@0.1.26.
See all versions of @kerno/cli for other recorded verdicts.
- Review the evidence and your use of @kerno/cli@0.1.26 before allowing it. Restrict the permissions described in this report.
- Choose an independently verified alternative or release. This report does not establish that other versions are safe.
Evidence last updated: .
Think this verdict is wrong? Dispute it on GitHub or read how reports are produced.