NuGet changed how .NET developers build. With a few quick installs, entire features come together in minutes instead of days. No surprise that 60–90% of applications now rely on external components to keep that pace. 60–90% But lately, I’ve started asking myself a tough question: how much trust can we really place in the public packages running our most critical systems? Lately, a wave of supply chain attacks on npm and NuGet has made one thing clear: malicious code can find its way into trusted libraries far more easily than most teams realize. And it only takes one compromised dependency to spread through your builds, leak credentials, or grind production to a halt. In this article, I take a closer look at these hidden risks. The goal is not to abandon open-source tools but to highlight what developers can do to keep their supply chains secure. The growing threat landscape for public package ecosystems To show just how vulnerable public package registries can be, consider the breach on npm in September 2025. Attackers managed to compromise 18 popular packages (collectively downloaded billions of times) and slipped in code that stole crypto and credentials from users. breach on npm That same weakness exists in NuGet. Over the past few years, attackers have uploaded malicious packages using typosquatting (names that look almost identical to trusted ones) or planted MSBuild scripts that run harmful commands during restore or build. It’s a reminder that these supply chain attacks aren’t unique to JavaScript. Every open registry carries similar risks. weakness exists in NuGet Attackers today don’t rely on genius-level skills: they rely on automation, scale, and time. The more packages they upload, the higher the chance one finds its way into production. And here’s how we make their job easier: we often skip detailed dependency checks to keep releases on schedule. That habit makes it easy for bad code to get in. When it happens, the package can spread through the pipeline, leak secrets, or change build files before they go live. Real-world consequences for developers and businesses When bad code gets into a dependency, it does not just stay in one project. It spreads across teams, systems, and sometimes whole companies. But how does that even happen? When a package in the registry gets compromised, it rarely goes away cleanly. Cached versions often remain on build servers, and older projects keep restoring them automatically. What looks resolved can quietly resurface months later as the same vulnerability. Licensing makes things even trickier. Some open-source packages carry terms that clash with enterprise policies, and indirect dependencies can introduce obligations teams never intended to accept. Cleaning up those surprises after release often costs more than preventing them in the first place. That’s why I keep coming back to this point: speed gets the job done, but trust keeps it standing. Improving visibility and dependency management isn’t busywork; it’s how secure software stays that way over time. Evaluating your supply chain: Are convenience and security at odds? By now, most developers recognize the risks tied to public NuGet packages. What’s less obvious is how easily those risks become part of everyday development. Teams often become vulnerable when convenience starts winning over caution—when quick updates and trusted tools replace deliberate checks. That’s where the real trade-off happens. In fast release cycles, automation can also make it easy for subtle changes to slip by unnoticed. Hackers often use this chance to add hidden code or new features in what looks like a normal dependency update. They can also take over packages by changing the owner or maintainer or add bad scripts that run automatically when you update. Each of these changes might seem minor on its own, but together they erode visibility into what’s really running in production. The issue is not just technical; it’s also cultural. Many teams also fall into patterns that keep these risks alive. These include: Security reviews that happen reactively, only after something breaks.
Ignored dependency scans.
Convenience that replaces verification, especially when deadlines pile up. Security reviews that happen reactively, only after something breaks. Ignored dependency scans. Convenience that replaces verification, especially when deadlines pile up. Safety starts with daily habits: quick scans, checking dependencies before merges, and using trusted internal feeds. These small practices help teams stay fast while keeping control over what enters their codebase. Mitigation strategies and best practices Once you understand the risks, the next step is to control what goes into your build. Security here is about keeping things stable and reliable. Start by locking package versions so every build uses the same trusted stuff. That helps stop weird changes that break things. Then point your sources to places you actually know—your own repo or ones you approved, not some random thing from the internet. You should also audit packages before installing them. This helps find old or risky libraries early, when fixing them is easier. Finally, use verified publishing and two-factor authentication on platforms like NuGet.org to stop account hijacks or fake uploads. When you put these habits together, they make your pipeline stronger and more predictable. New risks will always appear, but regular checks and small routines like these keep them under control. Security works best when it’s part of how you build—not something you fix later. Check out these guides if you want to beef up your package game: NuGet Security Risks and Best Practices
Trusted Publishing on NuGet.org NuGet Security Risks and Best Practices NuGet Security Risks and Best Practices Trusted Publishing on NuGet.org Trusted Publishing on NuGet.org The case for commercial data connectors in critical applications Even with strong security practices, public registries always carry a degree of uncertainty. Anyone can publish a package, ownership can shift overnight, and trust often depends on maintainers you’ve never met. For hobby projects, that’s fine. But when a dependency sits inside a payment system, a healthcare app, or anything powering production, “fine” stops being good enough. That’s where commercial data connectors change the equation. These tools are distributed through controlled, private channels with verified maintainers and secure versioning pipelines. No anonymous uploads, no typosquatted lookalikes, and no surprise ownership transfers. Every build comes from a trusted source and follows an auditable release process. Take dotConnect as an example. The system gets regular security checks and follows clear rules for how it’s built and released. The code gets looked at early to catch problems. It uses strong encryption like TLS and AES-256 to keep data safe when it’s sent or stored. It’s made with privacy in mind, giving teams full control over data access, and updates roll out fast when something needs fixing. Conclusion So here it is. Public NuGet packages remain one of the best things about .NET development: fast, flexible, and essential for modern work. However, that same convenience demands attention. Every package you install adds both value and responsibility, and that trust works best when it’s verified. To build safer, more reliable software, choose dependencies with care, lock your source code, and make security checks part of your regular workflow. For business-critical systems, rely on commercial-grade connectors that provide verified security, encryption, and end-to-end accountability. Confidence comes from awareness, and the teams that build with that mindset create systems that last.

How Public NuGet Packages Open the Door to Hidden Risks

About Author

Comments

TOPICS

THIS ARTICLE WAS FEATURED IN

Related Stories

Data Democratization With AI and What It Means for Business

Data Democratization With AI and What It Means for Business

How RAG Improves Database Management

Ethical QA Engineer: A New Profession for the Era of Autonomous AI

3 Excel Libraries Every .NET Developer Must Know

The Noonification: Will You Be My GPT-Valentine? (2/13/2023)

Data Democratization With AI and What It Means for Business

Data Democratization With AI and What It Means for Business

How RAG Improves Database Management

Ethical QA Engineer: A New Profession for the Era of Autonomous AI

3 Excel Libraries Every .NET Developer Must Know

The Noonification: Will You Be My GPT-Valentine? (2/13/2023)

Light-Mode

Classic

Newspaper

Minty

Dark-Mode

Neon Noir

Minty

HN StartUps