Malicious Code Vulnerability in elba-teadev Package
Summary
MAL-2025-101993: Malicious code in elba-teadev (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 elba-teadev package is part of the npm ecosystem, primarily used for development purposes. It is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with packages that inflate developer reputation scores. This package, like others in the campaign, is designed to automatically generate and publish derivative packages, which can lead to significant pollution of the npm registry and potential security risks for developers using it.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the elba-teadev package stems from its malicious code that modifies the package.json file. This code removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, which can lead to the unintentional exposure of sensitive data and the proliferation of untrusted packages in the npm registry. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which employs autopublish scripts to automate the creation and publication of these malicious packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall elba-teadevIf 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 remove the elba-teadev package from your project by running the following command: npm uninstall elba-teadev. This will prevent any malicious code from executing until a secure version is available.
Conclusion
The elba-teadev package contains a significant vulnerability due to its malicious code that modifies critical files and can lead to security risks. It is crucial to update or remove this package to protect your project from potential threats. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help monitor your application for vulnerabilities in real-time.
See every vulnerability recorded for elba-teadev →
FAQ
elba-teadev is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which is known for flooding the npm registry with malicious packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially exposing sensitive data and allowing untrusted packages to proliferate in your project.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Visit Vulert Scanner to check your application without any signup.
If an immediate update is not possible, consider uninstalling the elba-teadev package as a temporary measure to mitigate risks.
Detailed information can be found in the vulnerability report and the package's repository, as well as through security advisories related to npm packages.
