Malicious Code Injection in bad_cardinal_dumbs Package
Summary
MAL-2025-99739: Malicious code in bad_cardinal_dumbs (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The bad_cardinal_dumbs package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with malicious packages. The primary functionality of such packages is to manipulate developer reputation scores through automated publishing scripts, which can lead to significant security risks.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the bad_cardinal_dumbs package originates from its design to include malicious code that modifies the package.json file. This code removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, contributing to the pollution of the npm registry. The malicious payload can lead to unauthorized access and manipulation of projects that depend on this package, potentially compromising sensitive data and application integrity.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall bad_cardinal_dumbsIf 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 avoid using the bad_cardinal_dumbs package by removing it from your dependencies and replacing it with a secure alternative. Additionally, you can monitor your project for any unauthorized changes to the package.json file.
Conclusion
The bad_cardinal_dumbs package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that alters critical project files. It is essential to remove this package and monitor your project for any unauthorized changes. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your open-source projects.
See every vulnerability recorded for bad_cardinal_dumbs →
FAQ
The bad_cardinal_dumbs package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to manipulate developer reputation scores.
The vulnerability allows malicious code to alter your package.json file, potentially compromising your project's integrity and security.
You should uninstall the bad_cardinal_dumbs package immediately and check for any dependencies that may be affected.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities using just package-lock.json. You can check your application for vulnerabilities without any signup at the Vulert playground.
Regularly update your dependencies, monitor for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert, and replace any malicious packages with secure alternatives.
