Malicious Code Injection in disappointed_tarantula_dumbs Package
Summary
MAL-2025-101617: Malicious code in disappointed_tarantula_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 'disappointed_tarantula_dumbs' package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to automate the generation and publishing of derivative packages, often with randomized names, to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. Its functionality is compromised due to the presence of malicious scripts that manipulate package metadata.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from malicious code embedded within the 'disappointed_tarantula_dumbs' package. This code modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names, which leads to the continuous republishing of these variants. The origin of this issue is linked to a broader campaign aimed at polluting the npm registry, potentially affecting developers' reputations and 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 disappointed_tarantula_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 prevent the installation of this package by using the following command to uninstall it: npm uninstall disappointed_tarantula_dumbs. Additionally, you can monitor your package dependencies using tools like Vulert, which alerts you to open-source vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access.
Conclusion
The 'disappointed_tarantula_dumbs' package contains a significant vulnerability due to malicious code that alters package metadata and affects the npm ecosystem. It is crucial to take immediate action by updating or uninstalling the package to protect your project from potential risks.
See every vulnerability recorded for disappointed_tarantula_dumbs →
FAQ
It is an npm package associated with a token reward campaign that automates the generation of derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the modification of your package.json file and the pollution of the npm registry, potentially harming your project's reputation.
You should update the package to a patched version if available or uninstall it to mitigate the risk.
Yes, you can use Vulert to monitor your package-lock.json file for vulnerabilities in real-time.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities without signing up.
