Malicious Code Injection in charming_scorpion_replicate_automation Package
Summary
MAL-2025-100351: Malicious code in charming_scorpion_replicate_automation (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The charming_scorpion_replicate_automation package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to automate tasks related to the generation and publication of derivative packages. However, it has been identified as containing malicious scripts that compromise the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the package's malicious code, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior is intended to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards, leading to pollution of the npm registry with numerous derivative packages. The ramifications include potential security risks for developers who unknowingly use these compromised packages, as well as a degradation of the npm ecosystem's reliability.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall charming_scorpion_replicate_automationIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a workaround, you can monitor your package dependencies using tools like Vulert. By utilizing Vulert's playground, you can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup. Visit https://vulert.com/scanner to access the tool.
Conclusion
The charming_scorpion_replicate_automation package has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises the integrity of the npm registry. It is essential for developers to remove this package from their projects and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in their dependencies.
See every vulnerability recorded for charming_scorpion_replicate_automation →
FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to automate the generation and publication of derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, removes private flags, and generates random package names, which can lead to security vulnerabilities and pollution of the npm registry.
You should uninstall the charming_scorpion_replicate_automation package immediately using the command: npm uninstall charming_scorpion_replicate_automation.
Yes, you can use Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities in your application without needing to sign up.
Using compromised packages can lead to security breaches, data loss, and a loss of trust in the npm ecosystem, making it crucial to monitor and manage dependencies carefully.
