Malicious Code Injection in cooing_kite-appteadev: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-100986: Malicious code in cooing_kite-appteadev (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
cooing_kite-appteadev is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign targeting the npm registry. This package is designed to manipulate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages. Its primary functionality revolves around token reward campaigns, which have led to the proliferation of numerous similar packages, often with randomized names.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from malicious code embedded within the cooing_kite-appteadev package. This code is designed to modify the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. The malicious payload continuously republishes these variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially compromising the integrity of the ecosystem. The origin of this issue is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which exploits npm's publishing mechanisms to inflate developer reputation scores.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall cooing_kite-appteadevIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary measure, consider using the following command to uninstall the affected package: npm uninstall cooing_kite-appteadev. This will help mitigate the risk associated with the malicious code until a permanent fix is implemented.
Conclusion
The cooing_kite-appteadev package poses a significant risk to the npm ecosystem due to its malicious code designed to manipulate package publishing. It is crucial for developers to be vigilant and remove any affected packages to maintain the integrity of their projects.
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FAQ
cooing_kite-appteadev is an npm package involved in a malicious campaign that manipulates the npm registry for token rewards.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and compromise the integrity of your project's dependencies.
You should uninstall the cooing_kite-appteadev package immediately and check for any other affected packages in your project.
Currently, there is no specific patch for cooing_kite-appteadev. The best course of action is to remove the package.
You can use Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. You can also check your application against known vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground.
