Malicious Code Vulnerability in elated_crawdad-appteadev Package
Summary
MAL-2025-101986: Malicious code in elated_crawdad-appteadev (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The elated_crawdad-appteadev package is part of the npm ecosystem, often used in various JavaScript applications. This package has been identified as part of a token reward campaign that exploits npm's publishing system. Its primary function is to facilitate the automatic generation and publishing of derivative packages, which can inflate developer reputation scores. However, this functionality has been compromised due to the presence of malicious code.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the elated_crawdad-appteadev package, which contains scripts designed to manipulate the npm registry. These scripts remove private flags from package.json, alter version numbers, and generate random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of malicious variants. This not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses significant risks to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages, potentially leading to security breaches in their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall elated_crawdad-appteadev
If 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 elated_crawdad-appteadev package altogether. If it is already included in your project, remove it by running the command: npm uninstall elated_crawdad-appteadev. Additionally, consider using Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at https://vulert.com/scanner without any signup.
Conclusion
The elated_crawdad-appteadev package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package from their projects and monitor for any updates or patches. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in maintaining the security of your applications.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to manipulate the npm registry.
The vulnerability can lead to the inclusion of malicious code in your application, potentially compromising its security and integrity.
You should uninstall the elated_crawdad-appteadev package immediately and monitor your project for any further vulnerabilities.
Currently, there is no patch available for the elated_crawdad-appteadev package. It is recommended to remove the package until a secure version is released.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just your package-lock.json file.