Malware in cspell-esm
The npm package cspell-esm was compromised and distributed with malware. Systems with the package installed are considered fully compromised and require immediate remediation including secret rotation and package removal.
- Disclosed
- Last updated
- Blast radius
- Any system with the malicious package installed
- Ecosystems
- Attack vectors
- Affected entities
- cspell-esmnpm package containing malware
The npm package cspell-esm was found to contain malware. According to the GitHub Advisory (GHSA-97mm-cxmj-h672), any computer with this package installed or running should be considered fully compromised.\n\nThe advisory recommends that all secrets and keys stored on affected computers be rotated immediately from a different, uncompromised system. While the malicious package should be removed, there is no guarantee that removal will eliminate all malicious software that may have been installed as a result of the compromise.\n\nThis represents a critical supply chain attack through package distribution, affecting all users who installed the compromised version of cspell-esm.
Indicators of compromise
- Packages
- cspell-esm
Remediation
- Immediately rotate all secrets, API keys, and credentials from a different, uncompromised computer
- Remove the cspell-esm package from all affected systems
- Perform a full security audit and malware scan of any system that had the package installed
- Review system logs for unauthorized access or activity during the period the package was installed
- Consider the affected system(s) potentially compromised and plan for full rebuild if critical systems are involved
Sources
- GitHub Advisory GHSA-97mm-cxmj-h672 · GitHub Advisory Database
Cite this entry
"Malware in cspell-esm." supplychainattack.org, Supply Chain Attack Incident Catalog. Disclosed August 18, 2026; last updated August 18, 2026. https://supplychainattack.org/incident/malware-in-cspell-esm-2wfegs
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