Hijacked npm and Go Packages Exploit VS Code to Deploy Python Infostealer
In June 2026, cybersecurity researchers identified a sophisticated supply chain attack involving hijacked npm and Go packages designed to deploy a Python-based information stealer across Windows, Linux, and macOS systems. The attackers embedded malicious code within Visual Studio Code (VS Code) tasks, configured to execute automatically when a project folder was opened. This method bypassed traditional npm execution paths, allowing the malware to retrieve encrypted JavaScript from blockchain transactions, establish a backdoor via socket.io, and ultimately deploy the Python infostealer. The compromised npm packages, 'html-to-gutenberg' and 'fetch-page-assets', were uploaded on May 25, 2026, and have since been removed from the registry. This incident underscores a growing trend of attackers exploiting development environments and tools to infiltrate systems, highlighting the need for enhanced security measures within the software supply chain. The use of blockchain as a resilient command-and-control mechanism further complicates detection and mitigation efforts, emphasizing the importance of vigilance and proactive defense strategies among developers and organizations.
Kill Chain