Malicious Code Injection in applicable_firefly-appteadev Package
Summary
MAL-2025-99520: Malicious code in applicable_firefly-appteadev (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The applicable_firefly-appteadev package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with malicious packages. The primary functionality of this package is to facilitate token rewards, but it has been compromised to include harmful scripts that can affect developers and their applications.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from a malicious payload embedded in the applicable_firefly-appteadev package. This payload modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. It is designed to automatically publish derivative packages, thereby inflating developer reputation scores for token rewards. The ramifications include pollution of the npm registry and potential security risks for applications that depend on this package, as it can lead to unauthorized access or manipulation of the application environment.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall applicable_firefly-appteadevIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can avoid using the applicable_firefly-appteadev package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at https://vulert.com/scanner without any signup.
Conclusion
The applicable_firefly-appteadev package has been identified as containing malicious code that poses significant risks to developers and their applications. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor your project for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert. Staying informed and proactive can help mitigate the risks associated with open-source dependencies.
See every vulnerability recorded for applicable_firefly-appteadev →
FAQ
The vulnerability involves malicious code that modifies package.json files and publishes harmful derivative packages.
You can check your package-lock.json file or use tools like Vulert to scan for vulnerabilities in your project.
The risks include potential unauthorized access to your application and pollution of the npm registry, which can affect other developers.
Regularly audit your dependencies, use trusted sources for packages, and employ tools like Vulert for real-time monitoring.
You should uninstall the applicable_firefly-appteadev package immediately and check for any potential impacts on your application.
