Malicious Code Injection in distinct_macaw_dumbs Package
Summary
MAL-2025-101644: Malicious code in distinct_macaw_dumbs (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The distinct_macaw_dumbs package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package, like many others, is intended to facilitate the development and distribution of JavaScript applications. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that exploits npm's publishing capabilities to inflate developer reputation scores through the generation of numerous derivative packages.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the distinct_macaw_dumbs package originates from its association with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. It contains malicious scripts that modify the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and creating random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of these variants, which pollutes the npm registry and can compromise the integrity of the ecosystem. The ramifications include potential security risks for developers who unknowingly use these packages, as well as damage to the reputation of the npm registry itself.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall distinct_macaw_dumbsIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, avoid using the distinct_macaw_dumbs package and monitor your project's dependencies for any malicious packages. You can also use tools like Vulert to monitor your package-lock.json file for vulnerabilities in real-time.
Conclusion
The distinct_macaw_dumbs package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and repopulates the npm registry with harmful variants. It is crucial for developers to be vigilant and remove any instances of this package from their projects. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in monitoring for such vulnerabilities effectively.
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FAQ
The distinct_macaw_dumbs package is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code into your project, potentially compromising its security and integrity.
You should uninstall the distinct_macaw_dumbs package immediately and check for any dependencies that may have been affected.
You can use Vulert to monitor your package-lock.json file for vulnerabilities without needing to access the code or install additional tools.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without signing up.
