Malicious Code Injection in back_porpoise-silentdev Package
Summary
MAL-2025-99734: Malicious code in back_porpoise-silentdev (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The back_porpoise-silentdev package is part of the npm ecosystem, often utilized in JavaScript projects. It is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with various packages. This package, like others in the campaign, is designed to manipulate developer reputation scores by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from malicious code embedded within the back_porpoise-silentdev package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of these variants. The primary risk includes the pollution of the npm registry and potential exploitation of developer reputation systems, which can undermine trust in the ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall back_porpoise-silentdevIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary measure, you can remove the back_porpoise-silentdev package from your project by executing: npm uninstall back_porpoise-silentdev. This will prevent any malicious code from executing until a secure version is available.
Conclusion
The back_porpoise-silentdev package contains malicious code that poses a significant risk to developers and the npm ecosystem. It is crucial to take immediate action by uninstalling the package and monitoring for updates. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in identifying and mitigating such vulnerabilities in the future.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, often used in JavaScript projects.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially leading to unauthorized package republishing and pollution of the npm registry.
You should uninstall the package immediately and monitor for any updates or patches that may be released.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. You can check your application using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner.
Regularly update your packages, utilize tools like Vulert for monitoring, and review package dependencies for any suspicious activity.
