Hackers Target Ripple’s XRP Ledger in Major Supply Chain Attack – What You Need to Know

Critical Security Breach Hits XRP Ledger’s DeFi Ecosystem

Ripple has confirmed a sophisticated supply chain attack targeting its XRP Ledger (XRPL), specifically affecting DeFi wallets using the official xrpl.js library from NPM (Node Package Manager). While the XRPL itself remains secure, the compromised package could expose users’ private keys and wallet access.

Key Details of the XRP Ledger Hack

• 🚨 Attack Vector: Hackers injected malicious code into Ripple’s xrpl.js SDK (140,000+ weekly downloads).
• 🔒 Affected Users: Only DeFi wallets that recently updated the compromised NPM package are at risk.
• ⚠️ Ripple’s Response: The company has deprecated the malicious versions and is investigating the breach.
• 💰 Potential Impact: XRPL DeFi wallets hold $80M+ in assets—even a small breach could be significant.

How the XRP Ledger Supply Chain Attack Happened

The breach was first detected by blockchain security firm Aikido, which identified five suspicious updates to the xrpl.js package. The hackers:

1. Gained access to Ripple’s NPM repository.
2. Inserted a backdoor to steal private keys.
3. Targeted developers and DeFi services rather than the XRPL directly.

⚠️ Ripple CTO David Schwartz and engineer Mayukha Vadari issued urgent warnings, advising users to avoid services using the affected package.

*”The XRP Ledger itself is unaffected. Only npm-distributed xrpl.js versions from the last 24 hours are compromised.”*
— Mayukha Vadari, Ripple Senior Software Engineer

Is My XRP at Risk?

• The XRP Ledger’s core protocol remains secure.
• Only wallets that updated xrpl.js in the last day may be vulnerable.
• Major DeFi wallets reportedly avoided the malicious update.

What Should Users Do?

✅ Avoid interacting with suspicious DeFi apps until Ripple confirms safety.
✅ Check wallet providers for security updates.
✅ Wait for Ripple’s full postmortem report before making transactions.

Why This Attack Matters

Supply chain attacks are increasingly common in crypto, as hackers target developer tools rather than blockchains directly. Since NPM is a central hub for JavaScript packages, a single breach can impact thousands of apps.

Lessons from the XRP Ledger Hack

1. Open-source dependencies can be exploited.
2. Developers must verify package integrity before updates.
3. DeFi projects need stronger security audits.

What’s Next for Ripple and XRP?

• Ripple will release a detailed postmortem of the attack.
• Expect tighter security controls for official SDKs.
• The XRPL community should stay alert for further updates.

🔴 Stay Updated: Follow Ripple’s official channels for the latest security advisories.