Malicious Code Injection in doubtful_toucan-appteadev: npm Package Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-101746: Malicious code in doubtful_toucan-appteadev (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The 'doubtful_toucan-appteadev' package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with malicious packages. Its primary function is to facilitate the distribution of software, but it has been compromised to include harmful scripts that manipulate package metadata.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from a malicious payload embedded within the 'doubtful_toucan-appteadev' package. This payload modifies the package.json file by removing private flags and altering version numbers. It generates random package names, often themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants to the npm registry. This behavior not only inflates developer reputation scores for token rewards but also pollutes the npm ecosystem, potentially leading to further exploitation and security risks for users.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall doubtful_toucan-appteadevIf 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 prevent the installation of this package by using the following command to uninstall it: npm uninstall doubtful_toucan-appteadev. Additionally, you can monitor your project for any dependencies that may introduce this package in the future.
Conclusion
The 'doubtful_toucan-appteadev' package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry. Users are advised to uninstall the package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your software.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores through the publication of harmful scripts.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, potentially exposing your project to further security risks and affecting its integrity.
You should uninstall the package immediately and monitor your project for any signs of compromise.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just your package-lock.json file. You can check if your application is affected by visiting the Vulert playground.
Regularly update your dependencies, use tools like Vulert for monitoring, and review package sources before installation.
