Malicious Code Injection in artificial_goose-appteadev: A Threat to npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-99614: Malicious code in artificial_goose-appteadev (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'artificial_goose-appteadev' is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. It is designed to facilitate the generation and publication of derivative packages, which can inflate developer reputation scores. However, this package has been identified as malicious, containing scripts that manipulate package metadata and republish variants to compromise the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
This vulnerability originates from a malicious payload embedded within the 'artificial_goose-appteadev' package. It modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, primarily themed around Indonesian culture. The scripts continuously republish these variants, leading to pollution of the npm registry and potential exploitation of developers' reputations. The ramifications include loss of trust in the npm ecosystem and potential security risks for applications relying on these packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall artificial_goose-appteadevIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary measure, avoid using the 'artificial_goose-appteadev' package and consider alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Regularly audit your dependencies to ensure they are secure.
Conclusion
The 'artificial_goose-appteadev' package poses a significant threat due to its malicious code that manipulates package metadata and republish variants. It is crucial for developers to remove this package from their projects and monitor their dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity of their applications.
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FAQ
The vulnerability involves malicious code that alters package metadata and republish variants to compromise the npm registry.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. Check your application against the vulnerability using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner.
Uninstall the package immediately using 'npm uninstall artificial_goose-appteadev' and check for any alternative packages.
Yes, using this package can lead to reputation damage and potential security vulnerabilities in your application due to the malicious code it contains.
Regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert for monitoring, and stay updated on security advisories related to the packages you use.
