Axios NPM Compromise Indicators - Windows

title: Axios NPM Compromise Indicators - Windows
id: f6c27ecc-d890-4452-80e6-2e274a10e097
status: experimental
description: |
    Detects the specific Windows execution chain and process tree associated with the Axios NPM supply chain compromise.
    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.
    The attack used cscript.exe (VBScript), curl.exe (C2), and PowerShell masquerading as Windows Terminal.
references:
    - https://www.stepsecurity.io/blog/axios-compromised-on-npm-malicious-versions-drop-remote-access-trojan
    - https://thehackernews.com/2026/03/axios-supply-chain-attack-pushes-cross.html?m=1
    - https://www.derp.ca/research/axios-npm-supply-chain-rat/
    - 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.t1059.003
    - attack.t1059.005
    - attack.t1105
    - detection.emerging-threats
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_cscript:
        ParentImage|endswith:
            - '\node.exe'
            - '\bun.exe'
        Image|endswith: '\cmd.exe'
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'cscript'
            - 'AppData\Local\Temp'
            - '//nologo && del'
            - '6202033.vbs'
    selection_curl:
        Image|endswith:
            - '\curl.exe'
            - '\powershell.exe'
        CommandLine|contains: 'http://sfrclak.com'
    selection_susp_cli:
        OriginalFileName: 'PowerShell.EXE'
        CommandLine|contains: '"C:\ProgramData\wt.exe" -w hidden -ep bypass -file'
    condition: 1 of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Highly unlikely
level: high