Malicious Code Injection in big_sparrow-apptea: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-99971: Malicious code in big_sparrow-apptea (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
big_sparrow-apptea is an npm package that is part of the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate token rewards through various automated scripts. However, it has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises the integrity of the npm registry and the security of developers using the package.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the package's malicious payload, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior is intended to inflate developer reputation scores for the tea protocol token rewards. The package continuously republishes variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially leading to security risks for developers who unknowingly use these compromised packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall big_sparrow-appteaIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary measure, avoid using the big_sparrow-apptea package and consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The big_sparrow-apptea package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that alters package configurations and pollutes the npm registry. It is essential for developers to remove this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities to maintain security and integrity.
See every vulnerability recorded for big_sparrow-apptea →
FAQ
big_sparrow-apptea is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been identified as containing malicious code.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, removes private flags, and can lead to the publication of compromised packages, affecting your project's integrity.
You should uninstall the package immediately using 'npm uninstall big_sparrow-apptea' and check for any dependencies that may rely on it.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just package-lock.json. You can check your application for vulnerabilities without signup at the Vulert playground.
Regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert for real-time monitoring, and stay updated on security advisories related to the packages you use.
