CVE-2025-59162: color-convert@3.1.1 contains malware after npm account takeover
Impact On 8 September 2025, the npm publishing account for color-convert was taken over after a phishing attack. Version 3.1.1 was published, functionally identical to the previous patch version, but with a malware payload added attempting to redirect cryptocurrency transactions to the attacker's own addresses from within browser environments.
Local environments, server environments, command line applications, etc. are not affected. If the package was used in a browser context (e.g. a direct <script> inclusion, or via a bundling tool such as Babel, Rollup, Vite, Next.js, etc.) there is a chance the malware still exists and such bundles will need to be rebuilt.
The malware seemingly only targets cryptocurrency transactions and wallets such as MetaMask. See references below for more information on the payload.
Patches npm removed the offending package from the registry over the course of the day on 8 September, preventing further downloads from npm proper.
On 13 September, the package owner published new patch versions to help cache-bust those using private registries who might still have the compromised version cached. This version is functionally identical to the previously known-good version, published as a patch version bump above the compromised version.
Users should update to the latest patch version, completely remove their nodemodules directory, clean their package manager's global cache, and rebuild any browser bundles from scratch.
Those operating private registries or registry mirrors should purge the offending versions from any caches.
References - https://www.aikido.dev/blog/npm-debug-and-chalk-packages-compromised - https://socket.dev/blog/npm-author-qix-compromised-in-major-supply-chain-attack - https://www.ox.security/blog/npm-packages-compromised/
Point of Contact In the event suspicious behavior is still observed for the package listed in this security advisory after performing all of the above cleaning operations (see Patches above), please reach out via one of the following channels of communication:
- Bluesky, package owner: https://bsky.app/profile/bad-at-computer.bsky.social - debug repository, tracking issue (applies to all packages affected in the breach): https://github.com/debug-js/debug/issues/1005
Other sources
color-convert provides plain color conversion functions in JavaScript. On 8 September 2025, the npm publishing account for color-convert was taken over after a phishing attack. Version 3.1.1 was published, functionally identical to the previous patch version, but with a malware payload added attempting to redirect cryptocurrency transactions to the attacker's own addresses from within browser environments. Local environments, server environments, command line applications, etc. are not affected. If the package was used in a browser context (e.g. a direct <script> inclusion, or via a bundling tool such as Babel, Rollup, Vite, Next.js, etc.) there is a chance the malware still exists and such bundles will need to be rebuilt. The malware seemingly only targets cryptocurrency transactions and wallets such as MetaMask. npm removed the offending package from the registry over the course of the day on 8 September, preventing further downloads from npm proper. On 13 September, the package owner published new patch versions to help cache-bust those using private registries who might still have the compromised version cached. Users should update to the latest patch version, completely remove their nodemodules directory, clean their package manager's global cache, and rebuild any browser bundles from scratch. Those operating private registries or registry mirrors should purge the offending versions from any caches. This issue is resolved in 3.1.2.
— MITRE
Affected Software
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2025-59162?
CVE-2025-59162 is considered a critical security vulnerability due to the potential for remote code execution through the compromised version of the package.
How do I fix CVE-2025-59162?
To fix CVE-2025-59162, immediately uninstall the compromised version of color-convert and replace it with a secure version from a trusted source.
What versions are affected by CVE-2025-59162?
CVE-2025-59162 affects color-convert version 3.1.1 specifically, which was published after the account takeover.
What is color-convert in relation to CVE-2025-59162?
Color-convert is a JavaScript library for plain color conversion functions that became compromised due to a phishing attack.
How did the compromise occur in CVE-2025-59162?
The compromise of CVE-2025-59162 occurred when the npm publishing account for color-convert was taken over following a phishing attack, leading to the release of a malicious version.