Malicious Code Injection in eerie_crocodile_dumbs: A Threat to npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-101885: Malicious code in eerie_crocodile_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 package 'eerie_crocodile_dumbs' is part of a series of malicious npm packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to manipulate the npm registry by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. This behavior is intended to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards, posing a significant risk to the integrity of the npm ecosystem.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'eerie_crocodile_dumbs' originates from its malicious payload, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags and alters version numbers. It generates random package names, often themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants to pollute the npm registry. This not only compromises the security of the affected packages but also affects the overall reliability of the npm ecosystem, potentially leading to the distribution of malicious code to unsuspecting developers.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall eerie_crocodile_dumbs
If 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 'eerie_crocodile_dumbs' package and instead look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Always validate the source and reputation of npm packages before installation.
Conclusion
The 'eerie_crocodile_dumbs' package poses a significant threat to the npm ecosystem due to its malicious behavior. It is essential for developers to be vigilant in monitoring their dependencies and to utilize tools like Vulert for real-time vulnerability alerts. By removing this package and opting for safer alternatives, developers can protect their projects from potential harm.
See every vulnerability recorded for eerie_crocodile_dumbs →
FAQ
It is a malicious npm package that is part of a campaign to manipulate the npm registry for token rewards.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code into your project, compromising its security and integrity.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. Visit Vulert Scanner to check your application without any signup.
You should uninstall the 'eerie_crocodile_dumbs' package immediately and review your project's dependencies for any other potentially malicious packages.
Yes, always look for well-reviewed and actively maintained packages on npm that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.