Malicious Code Injection in delicate_primate-tool: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-101304: Malicious code in delicate_primate-tool (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The delicate_primate-tool is an npm package that is part of the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate token rewards for developers by generating and publishing derivative packages. However, it has been compromised, leading to significant security concerns for users who may unknowingly install it.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from malicious code embedded in the delicate_primate-tool package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, effectively polluting the npm registry. The malicious payload is part of a broader scheme to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards, posing risks such as unauthorized access and potential data breaches.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall delicate_primate-toolIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can avoid using the delicate_primate-tool package until a secure version is released. Additionally, you can manually check your package-lock.json file for any instances of this package and remove it if found.
Conclusion
The delicate_primate-tool package has been compromised, leading to a significant vulnerability that can affect npm users. It is crucial to update or remove this package to protect your projects from potential threats. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in monitoring and managing such vulnerabilities effectively.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The malicious code can compromise your project's integrity by modifying package files and potentially exposing sensitive information.
You should update the package to a patched version or remove it entirely from your project to mitigate risks.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just your package-lock.json file.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities in your application without any signup.
