Malicious Code Injection in anonymous_clownfish-appteadev Package
Summary
MAL-2025-99482: Malicious code in anonymous_clownfish-appteadev (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The anonymous_clownfish-appteadev package is part of the npm ecosystem, typically used for various development purposes. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through the tea.xyz token reward system. This package, like others in the campaign, is designed to automatically generate and publish derivative packages with altered metadata, posing significant risks to developers and the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
This vulnerability originates from a malicious payload embedded within the anonymous_clownfish-appteadev package. The payload modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names, which leads to the continuous republishing of these variants. This not only pollutes the npm registry but also compromises the security and reliability of applications relying on this package. Developers using this package may unknowingly expose their projects to further vulnerabilities and malicious activities.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall anonymous_clownfish-appteadevIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, avoid using the anonymous_clownfish-appteadev package and consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can monitor your project for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert, which can alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The anonymous_clownfish-appteadev package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate package metadata. It is essential for developers to take immediate action to remove this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity of their applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for anonymous_clownfish-appteadev →
FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and may expose your project to further security risks.
You should uninstall the package immediately and monitor your project for any potential vulnerabilities.
Yes, you can use Vulert's playground to check for vulnerabilities without any signup required.
Regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert for monitoring, and stay updated on security advisories for the packages you use.
