Malicious Code Injection in established_chicken-appteadev Package
Summary
MAL-2025-102246: Malicious code in established_chicken-appteadev (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The established_chicken-appteadev package is part of the npm ecosystem, commonly used for various JavaScript applications. This package has been identified as part of a token reward campaign that exploits npm's publishing system. It is designed to inflate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages, which can lead to significant pollution of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from malicious code embedded within the established_chicken-appteadev 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 a compromised npm registry and potential security risks for developers who unknowingly use these packages. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has flooded the npm ecosystem with such harmful packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall established_chicken-appteadevIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary measure, you can remove the established_chicken-appteadev package from your project until a secure version is released. You can do this by executing the following command: npm uninstall established_chicken-appteadev. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities. Vulert uses the package-lock.json file to alert you in real-time about any open-source vulnerabilities in your software.
Conclusion
The established_chicken-appteadev package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate npm's publishing system. It is crucial for developers to stay informed about such vulnerabilities, regularly update their packages, and utilize monitoring tools like Vulert to ensure the security of their applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for established_chicken-appteadev →
FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code into your project, potentially compromising its security and integrity.
You should uninstall the package immediately and monitor your project for any signs of compromise.
Regularly update your dependencies, use tools like Vulert for monitoring, and review packages before installation.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities in your application without any signup.
