Malicious Code Injection in awake_finch-strongdev Package
Summary
MAL-2025-99693: Malicious code in awake_finch-strongdev (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The awake_finch-strongdev package is part of the npm ecosystem, typically used for various development tasks. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that aims to inflate developer reputation scores through the creation of derivative packages. This package is particularly vulnerable due to its association with autopublish scripts that can modify its own metadata and publish harmful variants to the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the package being part of a token reward campaign that floods the npm registry with malicious packages. The malicious payload modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This not only compromises the integrity of the package but also pollutes the npm registry, potentially affecting other developers and applications relying on this package.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall awake_finch-strongdevIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a workaround, you can avoid using the awake_finch-strongdev package entirely. If it is already in use, consider replacing it with a trusted alternative package that serves the same purpose without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The awake_finch-strongdev package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities to maintain security and integrity.
See every vulnerability recorded for awake_finch-strongdev →
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 modification of your project's package.json file and the introduction of malicious code, compromising your application's integrity.
You should remove the awake_finch-strongdev package from your project and look for a secure alternative.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just your package-lock.json file.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
