Malicious Code Injection in averywatson Package: npm Vulnerability Overview
Summary
MAL-2025-170936: Malicious code in averywatson (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 averywatson package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package, like many others, is intended to facilitate the development of applications by providing reusable code components. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that exploits npm's publishing capabilities, leading to significant security risks for developers who integrate it into their projects.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from a malicious campaign associated with the tea.xyz token reward initiative. The averywatson package contains scripts designed to automatically generate and publish derivative packages with randomized names, thereby inflating developer reputation scores for token rewards. This malicious payload modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and continuously republishing variants, which pollutes the npm registry and poses risks of dependency confusion and supply chain attacks.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall averywatsonIf 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 averywatson package and instead look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, consider implementing strict version control and using tools to monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The averywatson package has been identified as a vector for malicious code injection, posing significant risks to developers and their applications. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your projects.
See every vulnerability recorded for averywatson →
FAQ
The averywatson package is a JavaScript package available on npm, intended for use in various applications. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign.
The vulnerability can lead to dependency confusion, where malicious packages are introduced into your project, potentially compromising security and functionality.
If you have installed averywatson, it is recommended to remove it immediately and monitor your project for any unusual behavior.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file to alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities. You can check your application against known vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground.
Yes, consider looking for alternative packages that offer similar functionality without the associated risks. Always verify the reputation and security of packages before use.
