Malicious Code Injection in bitter_lemur_dumbs: npm Package Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-99987: Malicious code in bitter_lemur_dumbs (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The 'bitter_lemur_dumbs' package is part of a series of npm packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. The malicious nature of this package lies in its ability to modify critical files and continuously pollute the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the package's malicious payload, which alters the 'package.json' file by removing private flags and changing version numbers. It generates random package names, primarily themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages, leading to potential security breaches and reputation damage.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall bitter_lemur_dumbsIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can avoid using the 'bitter_lemur_dumbs' package and instead rely on trusted packages that serve similar functionalities. Additionally, regularly audit your npm packages using tools like 'npm audit' to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The 'bitter_lemur_dumbs' package poses a significant risk due to its malicious behavior of modifying project files and polluting the npm registry. Developers are advised to remove this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert.
See every vulnerability recorded for bitter_lemur_dumbs →
FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to inflate developer reputation scores.
The vulnerability can lead to the modification of critical files in your project and may expose your application to security risks.
Currently, there is no patched version available for the 'bitter_lemur_dumbs' package.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time.
You should uninstall the package immediately and replace it with secure alternatives. Regularly audit your dependencies to ensure security.
