NPM Attack Could Expose Software Wallets, Bitcoin Among Chains Targeted, Ledger CTO Says

• NPM supply‑chain compromise injected crypto‑clipper code into popular libraries.

• Only 18 package versions were affected; rollbacks and safe releases are available.

• Attack impact: ~ $50 stolen in observed cases, but risk to exchanges and software wallets remains high.

NPM attack supply‑chain: NPM attack pushed malicious updates to libraries—check and patch now. Learn how to verify and remediate.

Ledger chief technology officer Charles Guillemet said that while the immediate danger had passed, the threat still exists.

A recent Node Package Manager (NPM) attack stole just $50 worth of crypto, but industry experts say the incident highlights ongoing vulnerabilities for exchanges and software wallets.

Charles Guillemet, the chief technology officer of hardware wallet company Ledger, said in a Tuesday X post that the attempted exploit was a “clear reminder” that software wallets and exchanges remain exposed to risks.

“If your funds sit in a software wallet or on an exchange, you’re one code execution away from losing everything,” he said, adding that supply‑chain compromises remain a powerful malware delivery vector.

Guillemet advocated for hardware wallets and transaction verification features like clear signing to mitigate such attacks. “The immediate danger may have passed, but the threat hasn’t. Stay safe,” he added.

What was the NPM attack and how did it work?

The NPM attack was a credential‑led supply‑chain compromise that allowed attackers to push malicious updates to popular JavaScript libraries. The injected code operated as a crypto clipper that intercepted and replaced wallet addresses in network responses across several blockchains, redirecting funds to attacker addresses.

How did attackers gain access and which packages were impacted?

Attackers used a phishing email sent from a fake NPM support domain to obtain developer credentials. With access to developer accounts, they published malicious updates to a subset of package versions.

Only specific versions of 18 packages were compromised, including widely used libraries such as chalk, ansi‑styles and debug. Developers who auto‑updated builds or rebuilt shortly after the malicious releases were most exposed.

How severe was the monetary damage?

Observed direct theft in the public cases was approximately $50. Despite the small confirmed loss, the incident demonstrates a high potential impact: intercepting addresses can enable large, stealthy thefts if the code reaches production systems or exchanges.

How should developers and users respond?

Developers must act immediately: identify dependency versions, rollback to safe releases, reinstall clean code, and rebuild applications. Check build histories and lockfiles for the compromised versions and deploy fixed releases from reputable sources.

What are the step‑by‑step remediation actions?

1. Identify if your project uses one of the 18 compromised versions (e.g., ansi‑styles, chalk, debug).
2. Freeze or pin dependencies to known‑good versions in package.json and lockfiles.
3. Remove node_modules, reinstall from registry, and verify package checksums.
4. Rebuild and redeploy applications from a clean environment.
5. Monitor production logs for abnormal address replacements and transactional anomalies.

Which blockchains and services were at risk?

The injected code attempted to intercept wallet addresses in network responses affecting multiple chains. Key chains mentioned include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Tron and Litecoin.

Why are hardware wallets recommended?

Hardware wallets provide transaction signing safeguards that software wallets cannot guarantee when the host environment is compromised. Features like explicit signing confirmation and transaction detail displays make address‑replacement attacks far harder to execute successfully.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I check if my app used a compromised NPM package?

Search your package.json and lockfile for the affected version numbers (18 versions identified). If present, assume compromise and follow remediation steps: pin safe versions, reinstall, rebuild and redeploy.

What should end users do if they used a software wallet after the attack?

Users should avoid using affected applications, verify transactions on hardware wallets when possible, and transfer funds to safer custody only after confirming application integrity.

Did exchanges lose funds in this incident?

Public reports show minimal confirmed theft (~$50). However, exchanges and custodial platforms remain at risk if they consume compromised libraries without rigorous verification.

Key Takeaways

• Supply‑chain risk is real: Even small monetary loss events reveal systemic vulnerabilities in dependency management.
• Act quickly: Developers must audit dependencies, pin safe versions and rebuild to eliminate clipper code.
• Harden custody: Hardware wallets and transaction verification mitigate address‑replacement threats for users.

Conclusion

The NPM supply‑chain attack underscores persistent risks to software wallets and exchanges from compromised dependencies. COINOTAG advises immediate audits, dependency pinning and rebuilds. Stay vigilant, validate releases, and prefer hardware signing for high‑value transactions. Published: 2025-09-09. Updated: 2025-09-09.