create-newt-app@0.38.1
Scaffold a pnpm workspace with Next.js, NestJS, Better Auth and Kysely, wired together.
AI Security Review
scanned 4d ago · by lpm-firewall-aiThe flagged npm credential flow is a false alarm: the .npmrc template is empty. The CLI does send undisclosed, limited runtime telemetry by default, which is suspicious under the package review rules.
Static reason
High-risk behavior combination matched malicious policy.
Trigger
A user runs the create-newt-app CLI and scaffolding succeeds.
Impact
The package reports limited usage and runtime metadata to its vendor without disclosing telemetry in its README.
Mechanism
The CLI posts version, platform, CI, mode, flags, and scaffold choices to the package's telemetry endpoint unless opted out.
AI rationale
The flagged npm credential flow is a false alarm: the .npmrc template is empty. The CLI does send undisclosed, limited runtime telemetry by default, which is suspicious under the package review rules.
Evidence
dist/index.js
Network endpoints1
newt-telemetry.newt-app.workers.dev
Decision evidence
public snapshotAI called this Suspicious at 96.0% confidence as Unknown with medium false-positive risk.
Evidence for warning
- The CLI sends telemetry to https://newt-telemetry.newt-app.workers.dev.
- Telemetry is enabled by default and can be disabled through environment settings.
- The payload contains CLI and runtime versions, platform, mode, CI category, explicit flags, and scaffold selections.
- Telemetry is sent after scaffolding completes successfully.
- The flagged .npmrc template is empty.
Evidence against
- The manifest has no lifecycle scripts; the network request is in the CLI workflow.
- The telemetry payload does not collect credential values, arbitrary environment variables, hostnames, paths, or file contents.
- The README describes the scaffolding command but does not disclose telemetry.
Behavioral surface
ChildProcessCryptoEnvironmentVarsFilesystemNetwork
HighEntropyStringsUrlStrings
Source & flagged code
5 flaggeddist/index.jsView file
7import { randomBytes } from "node:crypto";
L8: import { execa } from "execa";
L9: import ejs from "ejs";
...
L11: import path from "path";
L12: import https from "node:https";
L13: //#region package.json
L14: var version = "0.38.1";
...
L259: <% } %>BETTER_AUTH_URL=http://localhost:3000
L260: BETTER_AUTH_SECRET=generate-with-openssl-rand-base64-32
L261: `
...
L393: // Load root .env first, then local .env (local takes precedence)
L394: dotenv.config({ path: resolve(process.cwd(), '../../.env') });
Critical
Credential Exfiltration
Source appears to send environment or credential material to an external endpoint.
dist/index.jsView on unpkg · L77Trigger-reachable chain: manifest.bin -> dist/index.js
L7: import { randomBytes } from "node:crypto";
L8: import { execa } from "execa";
L9: import ejs from "ejs";
...
L11: import path from "path";
L12: import https from "node:https";
L13: //#region package.json
L14: var version = "0.38.1";
...
L259: <% } %>BETTER_AUTH_URL=http://localhost:3000
L260: BETTER_AUTH_SECRET=generate-with-openssl-rand-base64-32
L261: `
...
L393: // Load root .env first, then local .env (local takes precedence)
L394: dotenv.config({ path: resolve(process.cwd(), '../../.env') });
Critical
Trigger Reachable Dangerous Capability
A package entrypoint or install-time lifecycle script reaches a source file with blocking dangerous behavior.
dist/index.jsView on unpkg · L7Findings
2 Critical2 High4 Medium4 Low
CriticalCredential Exfiltrationdist/index.js
CriticalTrigger Reachable Dangerous Capabilitydist/index.js
HighSandbox Evasion Gated Capabilitydist/index.js
HighTrigger Reachable Credential Exfiltrationdist/index.js
MediumNetwork
MediumEnvironment Vars
MediumStructural Risk Force Deep Review
MediumAi Review Evidencedist/index.js
LowScripts Present
LowFilesystem
LowHigh Entropy Strings
LowUrl Strings
Affected versions and remediation
This report applies to create-newt-app@0.38.1.
See all versions of create-newt-app for other recorded verdicts.
- Review the evidence and your use of create-newt-app@0.38.1 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.