Malicious Code Injection in characteristic_jackal_replicate_automation Package
Summary
MAL-2025-100336: Malicious code in characteristic_jackal_replicate_automation (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The characteristic_jackal_replicate_automation package is part of the npm ecosystem, typically used for automation tasks. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards, making them a significant threat to the integrity of the npm ecosystem.
Vulnerability Detail
This vulnerability originates from the malicious intent behind the characteristic_jackal_replicate_automation package, which contains scripts that modify the package.json file. The scripts remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of variants that pollute the npm registry. This can result in developers unknowingly using compromised packages, which may lead to security breaches or data leaks.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall characteristic_jackal_replicate_automationIf 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 characteristic_jackal_replicate_automation package and consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The characteristic_jackal_replicate_automation package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that modifies package configurations and floods the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity of their projects.
See every vulnerability recorded for characteristic_jackal_replicate_automation →
FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores through the creation of derivative packages.
Using this package can lead to the introduction of malicious code into your project, potentially compromising security and data integrity.
You should uninstall the package immediately using 'npm uninstall characteristic_jackal_replicate_automation' and review your project's dependencies for any other vulnerabilities.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file to alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
