registry / instar / 1.3.1352

instar@1.3.1352

Coherence infrastructure for self-evolving AI agents — on the Claude Code or Codex subscription you already have.

AI Security Review

scanned 10d ago · by lpm-firewall-ai

Source inspection found no concrete attack behavior. The scanner’s payload and persistence signals correspond to package-owned setup, development, and synchronization code rather than an unconsented install-time attack.

Static reason

High-risk behavior combination matched malicious policy.; previous stored version diff introduced dangerous source

Trigger

Package installation runs the postinstall native-module repair; the inspected agent hook migrations run through the explicit migrate command.

Impact

The inspected behavior supports the package’s native database and agent setup functions; no malicious impact was established.

Mechanism

The repair checks and rebuilds better-sqlite3, while the migration writes package-owned hooks under the configured state directory.

AI rationale

Decision evidence

public snapshot

AI called this Clean at 96.0% confidence as Benign with low false-positive risk.

Evidence for AI clean decision

The manifest’s postinstall hook runs a repair script for the package’s better-sqlite3 dependency; the dependency list does not include instar itself.
Post-update hook installation is exposed through the explicit migrate command, and the migrator writes package-owned hooks under its state directory.
The inspected agent integration locations show an explicit gate for MCP tool filtering and project-scoped inspection, mapping, or framework-specific migration behavior.
The inspected runtime locations concern quota handling, Telegram messaging, thread queries, setup, and authenticated review delivery consistent with the package’s stated functionality.
The flagged development and synchronization utilities run lint checks or configured post-merge validation; the free-text hook parses tool input, and no confirmed attack behavior was identified.

Evidence against

Behavioral surface

Source

ChildProcessCryptoDynamicRequireEnvironmentVarsFilesystemNetwork

Source & flagged code

18 flagged

package.jsonView file

Lines 44-84json

44 "lint:undefined-erasing-default-merge": "node scripts/lint-no-undefined-erasing-default-merge.js",

45 "lint:destructive": "node scripts/lint-no-direct-destructive.js",

46 "lint:dev-agent-dark-gate": "node scripts/lint-dev-agent-dark-gate.js",

47 "lint:guard-manifest": "node scripts/lint-guard-manifest.js",

48 "lint:dev-agent-dark-gate:staged": "node scripts/lint-dev-agent-dark-gate.js --staged",

49 "lint:destructive:staged": "node scripts/lint-no-direct-destructive.js --staged",

50 "lint:llm-http": "node scripts/lint-no-direct-llm-http.js",

51 "lint:scrape-realness": "node scripts/lint-scrape-fixture-realness.js",

52 "lint:scrape-realness:staged": "node scripts/lint-scrape-fixture-realness.js --staged",

53 "lint:llm-attribution": "node scripts/lint-llm-attribution.js",

54 "lint:llm-attribution:staged": "node scripts/lint-llm-attribution.js --staged",

55 "lint:llm-http:staged": "node scripts/lint-no-direct-llm-http.js --staged",

56 "lint:credential-write": "node scripts/lint-no-unfunneled-credential-write.js",

57 "lint:credential-write:staged": "node scripts/lint-no-unfunneled-credential-write.js --staged",

58 "clean": "rm -rf dist",

59 "check:upgrade-guide": "node scripts/check-upgrade-guide.js",

60 "check:pre-push-gate": "node scripts/pre-push-gate.js",

61 "check:release": "node scripts/analyze-release.js",

62 "check:contract-evidence": "node scripts/check-contract-evidence.js",

63 "prepublishOnly": "npm run build && node scripts/verify-codex-stage-b-release-evidence.mjs && npm run check:upgrade-guide && npm run check:contract-evidence",

64 "postinstall": "node scripts/fix-better-sqlite3.cjs",

High

Install Time Lifecycle Scripts

Package defines install-time lifecycle scripts.

package.jsonView on unpkg · L64

65 "prepare": "husky",

66 "lint:standards-registry-path": "node scripts/lint-no-direct-standards-registry-path.mjs",

67 "lint:framework-list": "node scripts/lint-framework-list-completeness.mjs"

68 },

69 "keywords": [

70 "instar",

71 "ai-agent",

72 "autonomous-agent",

73 "claude",

74 "claude-code",

75 "agent-framework",

76 "telegram-bot",

77 "job-scheduler",

78 "agent-memory",

79 "agent-identity",

80 "llm",

81 "mcp",

82 "cli",

83 "molt",

84 "lobster"

dist/threadline/PipeSessionSpawner.jsView file

Lines 1-35javascript

1/**

2 * PipeSessionSpawner — Spawns lightweight `claude -p` sessions for simple

3 * threadline queries. Sessions auto-exit when done, reducing zombie risk

4 * and session slot consumption.

5 *

6 * Part of RFC: Persistent Listener Daemon Architecture (Phase 2).

7 *

8 * Security model:

9 * - Messages wrapped in <untrusted-message> XML tags (injection-hardened)

10 * - Thread history LLM-summarized before injection (strips jailbreak assembly)

scripts/check-rule3-coverage.cjsView file

Lines 16-56javascript

16 * - tmux capture-pane / send-keys patterns

17 * - JSON.parse on subprocess stdout

18 * - new class

dist/commands/listener.jsView file

14*/ L15: import { execSync, spawn } from 'node:child_process'; L16: import fs from 'node:fs'; ... L25: function getProjectDir(opts) { L26: return opts.dir || process.cwd(); L27: } ... L59: try { L60: return JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(healthPath, 'utf-8')); L61: } ... L334: if (!opts.force) { L335: console.log(pc.yellow('This will permanently delete all listener data:')); L336: console.log(' - Inbox files and archives');

Medium

Install Persistence

Source writes installer persistence such as shell profile or service configuration.

dist/commands/listener.jsView on unpkg · L14

skills/spec-converge/scripts/publish-spec-review.mjsView file

20* --spec docs/specs/FOO-SPEC.md \ L21: * --pr https://github.com/JKHeadley/instar/pull/670 \ L22: * --topic 12476 [--send] ... L30: import path from 'node:path'; L31: import { spawnSync } from 'node:child_process'; L32: import { checkEli16Overview } from '../../../scripts/eli16-overview-check.mjs'; L33: L34: export const API_PORT = Number(process.env.INSTAR_PORT) || 4042; L35:

High

Same File Env Network Execution

A single source file combines environment access, network access, and code or shell execution; review context before blocking.

skills/spec-converge/scripts/publish-spec-review.mjsView on unpkg · L20

dist/messaging/TelegramAdapter.jsView file

•Manifest-reachable source captures an API credential, sends it to a fixed unofficial gateway, and persists that redirection in agent or shell configuration. dist/messaging/TelegramAdapter.js: import { INVITE_PREFIX } from '../threadline/PairingInvite.js'; fs.writeFileSync(tmpPath, JSON.stringify(config, null, 2)); fs.writeFileSync(tmpPath, JSON.stringify({ messageId, savedAt: new Date().toISOString() })); fs.writeFileSync(tmpPath, JSON.stringify(config, null, 2)); * Public read-only authorization check for a sender id (Know Your Principal #898, fs.writeFileSync(destPath, buffer); baseUrl: 'https://api.groq.com/openai/v1', baseUrl: 'https://api.openai.com/v1',

High

Credential Redirect Persistence

Manifest-reachable source sends a prompted API credential to a fixed unofficial gateway and persists the redirection.

dist/messaging/TelegramAdapter.jsView on unpkg

dist/core/GitSync.jsView file

12*/ L13: import { execFileSync } from 'node:child_process'; L14: import fs from 'node:fs'; ... L95: const canonicalKeyPath = path.join(machineDir, 'signing-key.pem'); L96: const legacyKeyPath = path.join(machineDir, 'signing-private.pem'); L97: const keyPath = fs.existsSync(canonicalKeyPath) ... L870: const context = this.buildEscalationContext(conflictPath); L871: const resolution = await this.llmResolver.resolve(conflict, context); L872: if (resolution.resolved && resolution.resolvedContent) { ... L987: try { L988: const config = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(configPath, 'utf-8')); L989: const pmv = config.sync?.postMergeValidation;

Critical

Persistence Backdoor

Source writes persistence or remote-access backdoor material.

dist/core/GitSync.jsView on unpkg · L12

12Trigger-reachable chain: manifest.main -> dist/index.js -> dist/core/GitSync.js L12: */ L13: import { execFileSync } from 'node:child_process'; L14: import fs from 'node:fs'; ... L95: const canonicalKeyPath = path.join(machineDir, 'signing-key.pem'); L96: const legacyKeyPath = path.join(machineDir, 'signing-private.pem'); L97: const keyPath = fs.existsSync(canonicalKeyPath) ... L870: const context = this.buildEscalationContext(conflictPath); L871: const resolution = await this.llmResolver.resolve(conflict, context); L872: if (resolution.resolved && resolution.resolvedContent) { ... L987: try { L988: const config = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(configPath, 'utf-8')); L989: const pmv = config.sync?.postMergeValidation;

Critical

Trigger Reachable Dangerous Capability

A package entrypoint or install-time lifecycle script reaches a source file with blocking dangerous behavior.

dist/core/GitSync.jsView on unpkg · L12

dist/commands/setup.jsView file

Lines 1-37javascript

1/**

2 * Interactive setup wizard — the one-line onboarding experience.

3 *

4 * `npx instar` or `instar setup` walks through everything:

5 * 1. Project detection + naming

6 * 2. Secret management (Bitwarden / local encrypted / manual)

7 * 3. Telegram setup (primary communication channel)

8 * 4. User setup (name, email, permissions)

9 * 5. Scheduler + first job (optional)

10 * 6. Start server

dist/core/PostUpdateMigrator.jsView file

•path = dist/core/PostUpdateMigrator.js kind = trigger_reachable_excluded_payload sizeBytes = 1352831 triggerReachableSource = dist/core/PostUpdateMigrator.js excludedPayload = .claude/hooks/free-text-guard.sh

Critical

Trigger Reachable Excluded Directory Payload

A package entrypoint or install-reachable source explicitly loads and activates an executable-looking payload from a test, fixture, or hidden path.

dist/core/PostUpdateMigrator.jsView on unpkg

•Manifest-trigger-reachable source links an external AI-agent control path to a behavior-bearing write operation. w); if (current.includes(anyrow) && start >= 0 && end > start) { current = current.replace(anyrow, subscription_signin_skill_content.slice(start, end) + anyrow); changes.push('three failure-table rows'); } } if (changes.length === 0) { if (!current.includes(marker) || !current.includes(rowsmarker)) { result.skipped.push('skills/subscription-signin/skill.md: customized — left untouched (no cross-machine section)'); } return; } fs.writefilesync(skillfile, current); result.upgraded.pus

High

Trigger Reachable External Ai Agent Control Surface Mutation

Manifest-trigger-reachable source writes behavior-bearing configuration into a user or project AI-agent control surface.

dist/core/PostUpdateMigrator.jsView on unpkg

scripts/run-contract-tests.jsView file

39try { L40: execSync('npx vitest run --config vitest.contract.config.ts', { L41: cwd: ROOT,

High

Runtime Package Install

Package source invokes a package manager install command at runtime.

scripts/run-contract-tests.jsView on unpkg · L39

.claude/hooks/free-text-guard.shView file

•path = .claude/hooks/free-text-guard.sh kind = payload_in_excluded_dir sizeBytes = 3888 magicHex = [redacted]

High

Payload In Excluded Dir

Package hides binary, compressed, or executable-looking payloads in test/fixture/hidden paths.

.claude/hooks/free-text-guard.shView on unpkg

•path = .claude/hooks/free-text-guard.sh kind = build_helper sizeBytes = 3888 magicHex = [redacted]

Medium

Ships Build Helper

Package ships non-JavaScript build or shell helper files.

.claude/hooks/free-text-guard.shView on unpkg

dist/commands/devPreflight.js#virtual:normalized:round1View file

•stage = ast_semantic_analysis; reason = ast_parse_error; limitedFiles = 83

High

Semantic Analysis Limited

A bounded semantic-analysis stage reached its safety limit; remaining detectors completed, but this package requires AI review.

dist/commands/devPreflight.js#virtual:normalized:round1View on unpkg

dist/lifeline/TelegramLifeline.jsView file

•matchType = previous_version_dangerous_delta matchedPackage = instar@1.3.1351 matchedIdentity = npm:aW5zdGFy:1.3.1351 similarity = 0.967 summary = stored previous version shares package body but lacks this dangerous source file

Critical

Previous Version Dangerous Delta

This package version adds a dangerous source file absent from the previous stored version; route for source-aware review.

dist/lifeline/TelegramLifeline.jsView on unpkg

Source & flagged code

18 flagged · loading source

package.jsonView file

•scripts.postinstall = node scripts/fix-better-sqlite3.cjs

High

Install Time Lifecycle Scripts

Package defines install-time lifecycle scripts.

package.jsonView on unpkg

dist/threadline/PipeSessionSpawner.jsView file

15*/ L16: import { execSync } from 'node:child_process'; L17: import fs from 'node:fs';

High

Child Process

Package source references child process execution.

dist/threadline/PipeSessionSpawner.jsView on unpkg · L15

352// Spawn tmux session, recording its incarnation (session id + pane pid) L353: const created = execSync(`tmux new-session -d -P -F '#{session_id} #{pane_pid}' -s "${sessionName}" -x 200 -y 50 'bash -c "${shellCmd.replace(/"/g, '\\"')}"'`, { timeout: 10_000, e... L354: const [tmuxId, panePid] = created.split(' ');

High

Shell

Package source references shell execution.

Findings

4 Critical11 High6 Medium5 Low

CriticalPersistence Backdoordist/core/GitSync.js

CriticalTrigger Reachable Dangerous Capabilitydist/core/GitSync.js

CriticalTrigger Reachable Excluded Directory Payloaddist/core/PostUpdateMigrator.js

CriticalPrevious Version Dangerous Deltadist/lifeline/TelegramLifeline.js

HighInstall Time Lifecycle Scriptspackage.json

HighChild Processdist/threadline/PipeSessionSpawner.js

HighShelldist/threadline/PipeSessionSpawner.js

HighSame File Env Network Executionskills/spec-converge/scripts/publish-spec-review.mjs

HighCredential Redirect Persistencedist/messaging/TelegramAdapter.js

HighSandbox Evasion Gated Capabilitydist/commands/setup.js

Affected versions and remediation

This report applies to instar@1.3.1352.

See all versions of instar for other recorded verdicts.

Review the evidence and your use of instar@1.3.1352 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: 2026-10-15 06:10:20.025Z (UTC).

Think this verdict is wrong? Dispute it on GitHub or read how reports are produced.