chai-assert-kit
This report shows the evidence for chai-assert-kit@3.8.1, the only known version.
This package appears in our research on the fake chai plugin campaign, with how it works, the full package list and what to do if you installed it.
OpenSSF/OSV Malicious Advisory
imported 4mo ago · by OpenSSF/OSVOpenSSF/OSV advisory MAL-2026-6221 confirms this npm version as malicious.
Advisory
MAL-2026-6221
Source
OpenSSF Malicious Packages via OSV
Summary
Malicious code in chai-assert-kit (npm)
Details
Package name and metadata impersonate the 'chai' assertion library (reuses chai's contributors, description, and a 'chaiassert.com' homepage), but the package contains no assertion logic. On require()/import, index.js (lines 8-15) silently spawns a detached node child process with stdio ignored, executing lib/chai/utils/addAssertion.js. That file is a heavily obfuscated obfuscator.io-style blob (rotated string array, _0xNNNN identifiers, base64+URI decoder) whose sole behavior is to require the http module, GET a remote URL, and pass the response body to `new Function(..., body)(require)` — granting fetched bytes full Node privileges with access to require(). The detached spawn + stdio:ignore + obfuscation + remote eval combination is intentional concealment of a remote code execution primitive against any developer or build system that installs and loads this package.
References
Source & flagged code
0 flagged · loading sourceNo flagged code excerpts are attached to this scan.
Findings
1 High
HighOsv Malicious Advisory
Affected versions and remediation
This report applies to chai-assert-kit@3.8.1.
The versions list below shows the verdict for each recorded version.
- Avoid installing chai-assert-kit@3.8.1. 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: .
This report uses published external intelligence. The advisory does not provide a separate source-code analysis for each listed version.
Think this verdict is wrong? Dispute it on GitHub or read how reports are produced.