OpenSSF/OSV advisory MAL-2026-6350 confirms this npm version as malicious. Package name impersonates the widely-used `chai-as-promised` (README instructs `chai.use(chaiAsOperated)`) and the README badges further impersonate `pino` (npm/GitHub Actions shields point at pinojs/pino). On `require('chai-as-operated')`, `index.js` exposes a middleware factory that spawns a detached `node./lib/initializeCaller.js`...
Source
OpenSSF Malicious Packages via OSV
Summary
Malicious code in chai-as-operated (npm)
Details
Package name impersonates the widely-used `chai-as-promised` (README instructs `chai.use(chaiAsOperated)`) and the README badges further impersonate `pino` (npm/GitHub Actions shields point at pinojs/pino). On `require('chai-as-operated')`, `index.js` exposes a middleware factory that spawns a detached `node./lib/initializeCaller.js`. That script defines a fake `process` object containing base64-obfuscated values (`DEV_API_KEY` decodes to `https://amethyst-lorrin-26.tiiny.site/index.json`, plus obfuscated `x-secret-key` header credentials), then performs `axios.get(apiEndpoint,...)` and executes the response body via `new Function.constructor('require', response)(require)` with retry logic. The remote payload runs with full Node `require` access in a detached background process. The destination is a free `tiiny.site` host — author-mutable, anonymous infrastructure — and the URL is hidden behind base64 to evade casual review and string scanners. This is a classic typosquat + remote-execution dropper.
Decision reason
OpenSSF Malicious Packages via OSV confirms chai-as-operated@6.0.3 as malicious (MAL-2026-6350): Malicious code in chai-as-operated (npm)