Malicious Code Injection in bored_jay-smiletea Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-100050: Malicious code in bored_jay-smiletea (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The bored_jay-smiletea package is part of a series of npm packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to manipulate the npm registry by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. This behavior is intended to inflate developer reputation scores for rewards associated with the tea protocol, making it a target for malicious activities.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the presence of malicious code within the bored_jay-smiletea package. This code modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names, which leads to the continuous republishing of these variants. The result is a polluted npm registry, which can compromise the integrity of the ecosystem and potentially expose users to further security risks.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall bored_jay-smileteaIf 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 prevent the installation of the bored_jay-smiletea package by using the following command: npm uninstall bored_jay-smiletea. Additionally, you can monitor your project for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert, which can analyze your package-lock.json file for real-time alerts on open-source vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The bored_jay-smiletea package contains malicious code that poses a significant risk to users and the npm ecosystem. It is crucial to take immediate action by removing the package and monitoring your project for vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help ensure your application remains secure.
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FAQ
The bored_jay-smiletea package is part of a campaign that manipulates the npm registry by creating and publishing numerous derivative packages to inflate developer reputation scores.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially leading to the exposure of your project to further vulnerabilities and compromising the integrity of the npm registry.
You should uninstall the bored_jay-smiletea package and monitor your project for vulnerabilities. Consider using tools like Vulert for real-time alerts.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
Vulert is a tool that monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just the package-lock.json file, providing real-time insights into potential security issues.
