Malicious Code Injection in crude_reptile_dumbs Package
Summary
MAL-2025-101115: Malicious code in crude_reptile_dumbs (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The crude_reptile_dumbs package is part of the npm ecosystem, primarily used for various JavaScript functionalities. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through the tea.xyz token reward system. This package is designed to automatically generate and publish derivative packages with randomized names, which can lead to pollution of the npm registry and potential security risks for developers using it.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the presence of malicious code within the crude_reptile_dumbs package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, which are then continuously republished. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly install these malicious packages, leading to potential exploitation of their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall crude_reptile_dumbs
If 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 crude_reptile_dumbs package and any packages that depend on it. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at https://vulert.com/scanner without any signup.
Conclusion
The crude_reptile_dumbs package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate package metadata and pollute the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity and security of their applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for crude_reptile_dumbs →
FAQ
The crude_reptile_dumbs package is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially leading to the installation of compromised packages that can exploit your application.
You should uninstall the crude_reptile_dumbs package immediately using 'npm uninstall crude_reptile_dumbs' and check for any other affected packages.
You can use Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities in real-time, alerting you to any issues.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by vulnerabilities without requiring a signup.