Malicious Code Injection in bold_wombat-appteadev: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-100045: Malicious code in bold_wombat-appteadev (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package bold_wombat-appteadev is part of a broader campaign targeting the npm ecosystem, specifically linked to the tea.xyz token reward initiative. This package is designed to automate the publication of derivative packages, which can mislead developers and inflate reputation scores within the npm registry. Its functionality is compromised by the malicious code embedded within, which alters critical package metadata.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the package bold_wombat-appteadev, which contains malicious scripts that modify the package.json file. These scripts remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of variants that clutter the npm registry. This not only affects the integrity of the npm ecosystem but also poses risks to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall bold_wombat-appteadevIf 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 bold_wombat-appteadev package and consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can monitor your project for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert, which can alert you to any open-source vulnerabilities in real-time.
Conclusion
The bold_wombat-appteadev package poses a significant risk to the npm ecosystem due to its malicious code that alters package metadata. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity of their software.
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FAQ
bold_wombat-appteadev is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially exposing your project to further vulnerabilities and cluttering the npm registry with unwanted packages.
You should uninstall the package immediately using 'npm uninstall bold_wombat-appteadev' and check your project for any other vulnerabilities.
You can use Vulert, which allows you to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just your package-lock.json file.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
