Malicious Code Injection in brainy_planarian_blush-63: A Threat to npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-100076: Malicious code in brainy_planarian_blush-63 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package brainy_planarian_blush-63 is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been linked to the proliferation of malicious packages designed to inflate developer reputation scores. The functionality of this package is compromised due to its involvement in autopublishing scripts that generate and publish derivative packages with randomized names, thereby polluting the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in brainy_planarian_blush-63 originates from its design to automatically modify package.json files, removing private flags and altering version numbers. This malicious behavior allows the package to generate random names for derivative packages, which are then continuously republished. The ramifications include the potential for developers to unknowingly install compromised packages, leading to security risks and reputational damage within the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall brainy_planarian_blush-63If 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 brainy_planarian_blush-63 package until a secure version is released. Additionally, you can implement stricter package management practices by using tools like npm audit to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities in your dependencies.
Conclusion
The brainy_planarian_blush-63 package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package configurations and repopulates the npm registry with compromised versions. It is crucial for developers to stay informed about such vulnerabilities and take proactive measures to secure their applications.
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FAQ
brainy_planarian_blush-63 is an npm package that is part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through the automatic generation of derivative packages.
This vulnerability can lead to the installation of compromised packages, which may introduce security risks and affect the integrity of your application.
If you have installed brainy_planarian_blush-63, you should immediately update it to the latest version or remove it from your project to mitigate any risks.
You can use tools like npm audit or services like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file for vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
