A recent report has revealed that malicious npm packages are being used to target Ethereum developers’ private keys and other sensitive data. These packages impersonate the Hardhat development environment, a popular tool used by Ethereum developers, and are designed to steal sensitive information.
Details:
The malicious packages, named @hardhat/core and @hardhat/ethereum, are typosquats of legitimate Hardhat packages. They contain obfuscated malicious code that exfiltrates environment variables, which often contain private keys and API keys.
Risk:
If an Ethereum developer installs one of these malicious packages, the attackers could gain unauthorized access to their systems and potentially steal funds or other sensitive data.
Recommendations:
- Be vigilant when installing npm packages: Double-check the package name and its source to ensure it is legitimate.
- Use a package manager with security features: Some package managers can help identify and prevent the installation of malicious packages.
- Keep your development environment up to date: Updates often include security patches that can help protect against known vulnerabilities.
Citation:
- Malicious npm Packages Target Ethereum Developers’ Private Keys by BleepingComputer
Sean Sanders 
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