Malicious Code Injection in distinct_bison-tool: A Threat to npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-101643: Malicious code in distinct_bison-tool (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
distinct_bison-tool is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign targeting the npm registry. This package is designed to automate the generation and publication of derivative packages, often with randomized names, to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. The malicious nature of this package poses a significant risk to developers and users relying on npm for package management.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the distinct_bison-tool package, which is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. It contains scripts that modify the package.json file to remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially compromising the integrity of other packages. The ramifications include the risk of unintentional use of compromised packages and the degradation of the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall distinct_bison-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 distinct_bison-tool package and monitor your dependencies for any malicious activity. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities in real-time.
Conclusion
The distinct_bison-tool package poses a significant threat due to its malicious code designed to manipulate the npm registry. It is essential for developers to be vigilant and take immediate action to remove this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities.
See every vulnerability recorded for distinct_bison-tool →
FAQ
distinct_bison-tool is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores through automated package publishing.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of compromised packages into your project, potentially affecting its security and stability.
You should uninstall the package immediately using 'npm uninstall distinct_bison-tool' and monitor your project for any unusual behavior.
Yes, you can use Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
Regularly monitor your dependencies using tools like Vulert, and stay updated on security advisories related to the packages you use.
