Malicious Code Injection in Desirable Centipede Dumbs Package
Summary
MAL-2025-101361: Malicious code in desirable_centipede_dumbs (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The 'desirable_centipede_dumbs' package is part of a series of npm packages that emerged during the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to automate the generation and publication of derivative packages, often with randomized names, to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. The package's functionality is compromised by malicious scripts that alter its metadata and behavior.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the 'desirable_centipede_dumbs' package stems from the presence of malicious code that modifies the package.json file. This code removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of variants that pollute the npm registry. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which exploits npm's publishing mechanisms for fraudulent purposes. The ramifications include potential security risks for developers and users who may unknowingly install these compromised packages, as well as damage to the integrity of the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall desirable_centipede_dumbsIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can avoid using the 'desirable_centipede_dumbs' package altogether. If you have already installed it, you can uninstall it using the command: npm uninstall desirable_centipede_dumbs.
Conclusion
The 'desirable_centipede_dumbs' package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and contributes to npm registry pollution. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in maintaining the security of open-source dependencies.
See every vulnerability recorded for desirable_centipede_dumbs →
FAQ
It is an npm package that is part of a campaign to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing of derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially leading to security vulnerabilities and pollution of the npm registry.
You should uninstall the package immediately and monitor your project for any unusual behavior.
Yes, you can use Vulert to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. You can check your application using the Vulert playground without any signup.
Regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert for real-time monitoring, and stay informed about known vulnerabilities in the packages you use.
