Malicious Code Injection in energetic_gerbil-biggestdev Package
Summary
MAL-2025-102097: Malicious code in energetic_gerbil-biggestdev (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The 'energetic_gerbil-biggestdev' package is part of the npm ecosystem, typically used for various development purposes. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at manipulating npm's package registry. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward program, which incentivizes developers to publish numerous derivative packages, often leading to reputation inflation and registry pollution.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the presence of malicious code within the 'energetic_gerbil-biggestdev' package. This code modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names, primarily themed around Indonesian culture. The malicious payload continuously republishes these variants, which can lead to significant pollution of the npm registry and compromise the integrity of the ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall energetic_gerbil-biggestdevIf 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 'energetic_gerbil-biggestdev' package and any packages that depend on it. Additionally, consider using a package-lock.json file to monitor your dependencies and ensure that no malicious packages are included.
Conclusion
The 'energetic_gerbil-biggestdev' package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their dependencies to maintain the integrity of their projects. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in identifying and managing such vulnerabilities effectively.
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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 malicious code can lead to the removal of private flags in your package.json, altering version numbers, and generating unwanted package names, which can compromise your project's integrity.
You should uninstall the 'energetic_gerbil-biggestdev' package immediately and check for any dependencies that may rely on it.
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 use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without requiring any signup.
