Ethical Hacking News
Npm, one of the most widely used package managers for JavaScript projects, has recently announced an update aimed at enhancing its supply chain security. This move comes in response to a series of high-profile attacks that have highlighted the vulnerability of npm's open-source ecosystem. To better understand the implications and measures being taken, it is essential to delve into the details of this update.
Npm has updated its token system to improve supply chain security, shifting towards session-based tokens with a shorter lifespan. The team has implemented interactive workflows that default to multi-factor authentication (MFA) for publishing packages. Npm is promoting the use of OIDC Trusted Publishing to reduce the risk associated with supply-chain attacks. Despite these efforts, MFA phishing attempts and 90-day tokens with MFA bypass remain a threat. Experts recommend adopting OIDC, enforcing MFA for local package uploads, and adding metadata to package releases to further protect against supply-chain risks. An alternative approach, utilizing Chainguard Libraries, can significantly reduce the attack surface by up to 98.5%.
Npm, one of the most widely used package managers for JavaScript projects, has recently announced an update aimed at enhancing its supply chain security. This move comes in response to a series of high-profile attacks that have highlighted the vulnerability of npm's open-source ecosystem. As developers continue to rely on npm for their project dependencies, it is crucial to understand the measures being taken to improve security and the implications for those who utilize the platform.
The npm team has taken steps to address the issue by revoking all classic tokens and shifting towards session-based tokens instead. These new tokens have a shorter lifespan, typically lasting only two hours, which significantly reduces the window of opportunity for attackers. Moreover, the team has implemented interactive workflows that default to multi-factor authentication (MFA) for publishing packages, thereby adding an additional layer of security.
In addition to these changes, npm is also promoting the use of OIDC Trusted Publishing. This approach involves CI systems obtaining short-lived credentials on a per-run basis rather than storing secrets at rest. By doing so, developers can further reduce the risk associated with supply-chain attacks.
However, despite these efforts, there are still some concerns that need to be addressed. For instance, MFA phishing attempts to npm's console continue to pose a threat, as seen in recent incidents such as the Shai-Hulud attack. In this case, attackers were able to trick maintainers into sharing their login credentials and one-time passwords, which ultimately led to the publication of malicious packages.
Furthermore, developers can still create 90-day tokens with MFA bypass enabled in the console, allowing them to publish new, malicious packages on an author's behalf. This is particularly concerning as it means that even if a maintainer uses MFA for publishing, they may still be vulnerable to supply-chain attacks if their console is accessed by an attacker.
In light of these issues, experts recommend that developers take additional precautions to protect themselves from supply-chain risks. Firstly, they suggest adopting the use of OIDC in the long term, as it poses a significant barrier to exploitation. Secondly, enforcing MFA for local package uploads can further reduce the blast radius of worms like Shai-Hulud. Finally, adding metadata to package releases would enable developers to take precautions and avoid packages or maintainers who do not adhere to supply chain security measures.
It's worth noting that an alternative approach, utilizing Chainguard Libraries for JavaScript, has been identified as a potential solution. By building every npm package from verifiable upstream source code, developers can significantly reduce their attack surface by some 98.5%, based on past data. This method aligns with the "Swiss cheese model of security," where each feature serves as an additional layer of protection.
In conclusion, while npm's latest update has taken a significant step forward in addressing supply chain security concerns, there is still much work to be done. Developers must remain vigilant and continue to implement best practices to protect themselves from these types of threats.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/Npms-Latest-Supply-Chain-Security-Update-What-You-Need-to-Know-ehn.shtml
https://thehackernews.com/2026/02/npms-update-to-harden-their-supply.html
https://www.chainguard.dev/unchained/npm-update-to-harden-their-supply-chain-and-points-to-consider
Published: Wed Feb 18 15:54:49 2026 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
