Malicious Code Detected in Autonomous Wildfowl Dumbs Package: A Critical npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-99673: Malicious code in autonomous_wildfowl_dumbs (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The 'autonomous_wildfowl_dumbs' package is part of a series of npm packages that emerged during the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to manipulate the npm registry by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. This behavior is intended to inflate developer reputation scores for rewards associated with the tea protocol. The package's functionality is compromised due to its malicious intent, posing significant risks to developers and the integrity of the npm ecosystem.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the package's inclusion in a malicious campaign that utilizes autopublish scripts to modify package.json files. This modification removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of variants that pollute the npm registry. The ramifications include potential security risks for developers who unknowingly install these packages, as they may inadvertently contribute to the spread of malicious code and face reputational damage.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall autonomous_wildfowl_dumbsIf 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 avoid using the 'autonomous_wildfowl_dumbs' package and replace it with a trusted alternative. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your dependencies 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 'autonomous_wildfowl_dumbs' package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code and the potential for widespread impact on the npm ecosystem. It is essential for developers to remain vigilant, regularly update their dependencies, and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities.
See every vulnerability recorded for autonomous_wildfowl_dumbs →
FAQ
It is an npm package that is part of a malicious campaign aimed at manipulating the npm registry and inflating developer reputation scores.
If you have this package installed, it can lead to the introduction of malicious code and compromise the integrity of your project.
You should uninstall the package immediately and review your dependencies for any other potential vulnerabilities.
Yes, you can use Vulert to monitor your dependencies in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities without any signup.
