Malicious Code Injection in additional_worm-appteadev Package
Summary
MAL-2025-99129: Malicious code in additional_worm-appteadev (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The additional_worm-appteadev package is part of a series of npm packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to automate the generation and publication of derivative packages, often with randomized names, to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. The malicious nature of this package lies in its ability to modify critical files and republish itself, contributing to the pollution of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the additional_worm-appteadev package stems from its malicious payload, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which employs these tactics to manipulate the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall additional_worm-appteadev
If it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can remove the additional_worm-appteadev package from your project by executing the following command: npm uninstall additional_worm-appteadev. This will prevent any malicious code from executing in your environment until a secure version is available.
Conclusion
The additional_worm-appteadev package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package files and repopulates the npm registry with compromised versions. It is crucial for developers to take immediate action by updating or removing the package and utilizing tools like Vulert for ongoing vulnerability monitoring.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to automate the publication of derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the modification of your package.json file and the introduction of malicious code, which can compromise your project's integrity.
You should uninstall the package immediately and check for any updates or patches that may address the vulnerability.
Yes, you can use Vulert to monitor your project for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time by analyzing your package-lock.json file.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.