Axios NPM Compromise Indicators

01

description

What this is, in brief.

Detects the Linux-specific execution chain of the plain-crypto-js malicious npm dependency by Axios NPM package, including payload download via curl and detached execution using nohup and python3. On March 30, 2026, malicious versions (1.14.1, 0.30.4) were published to npm, injecting a dependency (plain-crypto-js@4.2.1) that executed a postinstall script as a cross-platform RAT dropper. The dropper contacted a C2 server, delivered platform-specific payloads, deleted itself, and replaced package.json to evade detection.

02

rule source (YAML)

title: Axios NPM Compromise Indicators - Linux
id: 0a23a62d-c5b3-468b-a072-25064a9a8c87
status: experimental
description: |
    Detects the Linux-specific execution chain of the plain-crypto-js malicious npm dependency by Axios NPM package, including payload download via curl and detached execution using nohup and python3.
    On March 30, 2026, malicious versions (1.14.1, 0.30.4) were published to npm, injecting a dependency (plain-crypto-js@4.2.1) that executed a postinstall script as a cross-platform RAT dropper.
    The dropper contacted a C2 server, delivered platform-specific payloads, deleted itself, and replaced package.json to evade detection.
references:
    - https://www.stepsecurity.io/blog/axios-compromised-on-npm-malicious-versions-drop-remote-access-trojan
    - https://www.derp.ca/research/axios-npm-supply-chain-rat/
    - https://www.trendmicro.com/zh_hk/research/26/c/axios-npm-package-compromised.html
    - https://www.elastic.co/security-labs/axios-supply-chain-compromise-detections
    - https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/e10b1fa84f1d6481625f741b69892780140d4e0e7769e7491e5f4d894c2e0e09
author: Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems)
date: 2026-04-01
tags:
    - attack.initial-access
    - attack.t1195.002
    - attack.execution
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.t1059.006
    - attack.t1059.004
    - attack.t1105
    - detection.emerging-threats
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: linux
detection:
    selection_node_shell:
        ParentImage|endswith:
            - '/node'
            - '/bun'
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'curl '
            - '/tmp/ld.py'
            - 'python3 '
            - 'nohup '
            - '6202033'
    selection_curl_download:
        Image|endswith: '/curl'
        CommandLine|contains: 'http://sfrclak.com'
    condition: 1 of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unlikely
level: high

04

detects techniques (4)

ATT&CK techniques this enables or maps to.

05

references

External citations — patches, advisories, analysis.