Malicious Code Injection in blushing_gazelle-tool: npm Package Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-100029: Malicious code in blushing_gazelle-tool (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The blushing_gazelle-tool is an npm package that is part of the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages, often with randomized names, to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. Its functionality is compromised by malicious scripts that manipulate its metadata.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from malicious code embedded in the blushing_gazelle-tool package. This code modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. It continuously republishes these variants, leading to pollution of the npm registry and potential exploitation by attackers. The ramifications include loss of control over the package, potential data breaches, and damage to developer reputation.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall blushing_gazelle-toolIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, consider removing the blushing_gazelle-tool package from your project until a secure version is released. You can do this using the command: npm uninstall blushing_gazelle-tool.
Conclusion
The blushing_gazelle-tool package contains a significant vulnerability due to malicious code that alters its metadata and republishing behavior. It is crucial to update or remove the package to protect your project from potential exploitation. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help monitor and manage vulnerabilities effectively.
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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, potentially exposing your project to security risks and damaging your reputation.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just your package-lock.json.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities without needing to sign up.
If an immediate update is not possible, consider removing the package as a temporary measure to mitigate risks.
