Malicious Code Injection in aware_minnow-gooddev Package
Summary
MAL-2025-99704: Malicious code in aware_minnow-gooddev (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 aware_minnow-gooddev package is part of the npm ecosystem, typically used for various development purposes. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. This package is designed to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards, making it a target for developers seeking to maintain clean and secure codebases.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from a malicious payload embedded within the aware_minnow-gooddev package. This payload modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. The intent is to continuously republish these variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially compromising the integrity of applications that rely on this package. The ramifications include the risk of unintentional inclusion of malicious code in projects, leading to security breaches and loss of trust in the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall aware_minnow-gooddevIf 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 remove the aware_minnow-gooddev package from your project by executing the command: npm uninstall aware_minnow-gooddev. This will prevent any malicious code from executing until a secure version is available.
Conclusion
The aware_minnow-gooddev package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious payload that alters project files and repopulates the npm registry with harmful variants. It is crucial to take immediate action by updating or removing the package and utilizing tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities.
See every vulnerability recorded for aware_minnow-gooddev →
FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file and can lead to the inclusion of harmful packages in your project.
You should uninstall the package immediately and check your project for any unauthorized changes.
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 without any signup.
