# ChainDrop

ChainDrop is a self-propagating npm supply-chain worm that entered the npm ecosystem through a compromised maintainer account and used Ethereum smart-contract-anchored command-and-control infrastructure.

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## ChainDrop npm Worm: Why SLSA Provenance Wasn't Enough

DevFeed: [ChainDrop npm Worm: Why SLSA Provenance Wasn't Enough](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/chaindrop-npm-worm-why-slsa-provenance-wasn-t-enough-13377.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://www.harness.io/blog/chaindrop-npm-worm-valid-provenance>)

Author: Harness Team

Published: 2026-08-10T00:00:00Z

Content type: article

Language: en

Sources: [Harness Blog](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/harness-blog.md>)

Topics: [ChainDrop](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/chaindrop.md>), [npm](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/npm.md>), [supply-chain-security](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/supply-chain-security.md>), [Malware](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/malware.md>), [npm packages](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/npm-packages.md>), [GitHub Actions](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/github-actions.md>), [GitHub](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/github.md>)

Tags: [chaindrop](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/chaindrop.md>), [ci](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/ci.md>), [ci-cd](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/ci-cd.md>), [github](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/github.md>), [github-actions](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/github-actions.md>), [integrity](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/integrity.md>), [least-privilege](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/least-privilege.md>), [malware](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/malware.md>), [npm](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/npm.md>), [npm-worm](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/npm-worm.md>), [openid-connect](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/openid-connect.md>), [provenance](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/provenance.md>), [security](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/security.md>), [slsa](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/slsa.md>), [software-supply-chain-security](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/software-supply-chain-security.md>), [worm](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/worm.md>)

### AI overview

The ChainDrop npm worm compromised hundreds of packages while retaining valid SLSA provenance, demonstrating that build attestations do not guarantee source integrity. The article explains the worm's propagation, credential theft, persistence mechanisms, and recommended defenses, including source governance, dependency controls, least-privilege identities, policy gates, and runtime evidence.

### Source excerpt

ChainDrop poisoned hundreds of npm packages while retaining valid provenance. Learn why signed builds need source governance, policy gates, and runtime evidence | Blog

## ChainDrop: Inside a Self-Propagating npm Worm

DevFeed: [ChainDrop: Inside a Self-Propagating npm Worm](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/chaindrop-inside-a-self-propagating-npm-worm-7748.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/chaindrop-npm-worm-analysis/>)

Author: Unit 42

Published: 2026-08-06T22:26:39Z

Content type: article

Language: en

Sources: [Unit 42](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/unit-42.md>)

Topics: [ChainDrop](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/chaindrop.md>), [npm](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/npm.md>), [Malware](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/malware.md>), [C2](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/c2.md>), [Ethereum](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/ethereum.md>), [GitHub Actions](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/github-actions.md>), [GitHub](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/github.md>), [CI/CD](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/cicd.md>), [Security](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/security.md>)

Tags: [blockchain](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/blockchain.md>), [c2](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/c2.md>), [chaindrop](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/chaindrop.md>), [ci](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/ci.md>), [claude-code](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/claude-code.md>), [developer-tooling](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/developer-tooling.md>), [ethereum](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/ethereum.md>), [github](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/github.md>), [github-actions](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/github-actions.md>), [high-profile-threats](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/high-profile-threats.md>), [infrastructure](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/infrastructure.md>), [malware](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/malware.md>), [security](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/security.md>), [ssh](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/ssh.md>), [supply-chain](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/supply-chain.md>), [tokens](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/tokens.md>)

### AI overview

This article analyzes ChainDrop, a self-propagating npm worm that infected more than 400 packages and threatened developer workstations, CI pipelines, cloud environments and downstream users. It describes credential and token theft, GitHub Actions runner memory extraction, package republishing, persistence through developer and AI coding tools, blockchain-based C2 resolution, and C2 reconfiguration through an Ethereum transaction.

### Source excerpt

Analysis of ChainDrop, an npm supply chain worm extracting GitHub Actions runner secrets and using Ethereum smart contracts for C2 routing. The post ChainDrop: Inside a Self-Propagating npm Worm appeared first on Unit 42.