Malicious Code Injection in aware_vole-notthedevs Package
Summary
MAL-2025-99706: Malicious code in aware_vole-notthedevs (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The aware_vole-notthedevs package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages, which can inflate developer reputation scores. However, it has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from a malicious payload embedded within the aware_vole-notthedevs package. This payload modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names, primarily themed around Indonesian culture. The package continuously republishes these variants, leading to pollution of the npm registry and potential exploitation by attackers. The ramifications include compromised developer accounts, 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 aware_vole-notthedevsIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, avoid using the aware_vole-notthedevs package and consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can monitor your package-lock.json file for any unauthorized changes.
Conclusion
The aware_vole-notthedevs package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and repopulates the npm registry with compromised packages. It is crucial to remove this package from your projects and monitor for any related vulnerabilities to maintain the security of your applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for aware_vole-notthedevs →
FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially leading to security vulnerabilities and pollution of the npm registry.
You should uninstall the package immediately and check for any dependencies that may rely on it.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using your package-lock.json file.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without needing to sign up.
