Malicious Code Injection in close_buzzard_black-67: A Threat to npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-100605: Malicious code in close_buzzard_black-67 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'close_buzzard_black-67' is part of a series of npm packages that have been linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. This behavior not only clutters the npm registry but also poses a significant risk to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from malicious code embedded within the 'close_buzzard_black-67' package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, which can lead to the proliferation of untrustworthy packages in the npm registry. The origin of this vulnerability is tied to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which incentivizes the creation of such malicious packages. The ramifications include potential security risks for developers who might use these packages, as well as a degradation of the npm ecosystem's integrity.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall close_buzzard_black-67If 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 manually check your package-lock.json file for any references to 'close_buzzard_black-67' and remove it. You can do this by running the following command: npm uninstall close_buzzard_black-67.
Conclusion
The 'close_buzzard_black-67' package poses a significant threat due to its malicious code designed to manipulate npm package management. Developers are advised to remove this package and monitor their projects for similar vulnerabilities to maintain a secure development environment.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to inflate developer reputation scores.
Using this package can lead to security risks and may compromise the integrity of your project by introducing malicious code.
You can use Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner to check your application for vulnerabilities without needing to sign up.
It is recommended to uninstall the package immediately and check for any other potentially compromised packages in your project.
Regularly monitor your dependencies using tools like Vulert, which can alert you to open-source vulnerabilities in real-time.
