Malicious Code Injection in adjacent_kiwi_replicate_automation Package
Summary
MAL-2025-99181: Malicious code in adjacent_kiwi_replicate_automation (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The adjacent_kiwi_replicate_automation package is part of the npm ecosystem, designed to facilitate automation tasks. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. This package can inadvertently compromise the integrity of projects that depend on it, as it is associated with scripts that manipulate package metadata and publish unauthorized variants.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the package's involvement in a token reward scheme that utilizes autopublish scripts to generate and publish numerous derivative packages with randomized names. This malicious behavior modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and creating random package names, which can lead to reputation inflation and registry pollution. The origin of this issue is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which exploits npm's publishing mechanisms.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall adjacent_kiwi_replicate_automationIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary measure, you can avoid using the adjacent_kiwi_replicate_automation package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Always verify the integrity and reputation of packages before including them in your project.
Conclusion
The adjacent_kiwi_replicate_automation package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and publishes unauthorized variants. It is essential to remove this package from your projects and monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity of your applications.
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FAQ
It is an npm package designed for automation tasks but has been compromised with malicious code.
It can lead to unauthorized modifications of your package.json file and the proliferation of malicious packages in the npm registry.
Uninstall the package immediately using npm uninstall adjacent_kiwi_replicate_automation and consider using alternative packages.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities in your application without signing up.
