Malicious Code Injection in crooked_ape_red-57 Package
Summary
MAL-2025-101085: Malicious code in crooked_ape_red-57 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The crooked_ape_red-57 package is part of the npm ecosystem, often utilized for various JavaScript applications. It is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with numerous packages. This package, like others in the campaign, is designed to manipulate developer reputation scores through automated publishing scripts.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in crooked_ape_red-57 stems from its malicious code that modifies the package.json file by removing private flags and altering version numbers. It generates random package names, primarily themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants to pollute the npm registry. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of the npm ecosystem but can also lead to unintended consequences for developers relying on these packages, including reputation damage and potential security risks.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall crooked_ape_red-57If it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary measure, you can avoid using the crooked_ape_red-57 package and replace it with a trusted alternative. Regularly audit your package dependencies to ensure that no malicious packages are included in your project.
Conclusion
The crooked_ape_red-57 package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters project files and publishes unwanted packages. It is crucial for developers to remove this package from their projects and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in real-time.
See every vulnerability recorded for crooked_ape_red-57 →
FAQ
crooked_ape_red-57 is an npm package associated with a token reward campaign that has been found to contain malicious code.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially compromising your project's integrity and leading to the publication of unwanted packages.
You can use the Vulert platform to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Visit Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without needing to sign up.
You should uninstall the package immediately using the command npm uninstall crooked_ape_red-57 and review your dependencies for any other potential vulnerabilities.
Yes, consider using well-established and trusted packages that serve similar functionalities without the associated risks.
