Malicious Code Injection in exceptional_coyote_dumbs Package
Summary
MAL-2025-102314: Malicious code in exceptional_coyote_dumbs (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The exceptional_coyote_dumbs package is part of a series of npm packages that emerged during the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. The functionality of this package is compromised due to the presence of malicious code that alters its configuration and behavior.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from a malicious payload embedded within the exceptional_coyote_dumbs package. This payload modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, changing version numbers, and generating random package names. As a result, it continuously republishes variants to pollute the npm registry, which can lead to reputation damage for developers and potential security risks for users who unknowingly install these compromised packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall exceptional_coyote_dumbsIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, avoid using the exceptional_coyote_dumbs package and any other packages that are part of the tea.xyz token reward campaign. Regularly audit your dependencies to ensure that no malicious packages are included in your project.
Conclusion
The exceptional_coyote_dumbs package contains malicious code that compromises its integrity and poses significant risks to developers and users. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor your dependencies for any similar vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your software.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that is part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through the automatic generation of derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, removes private flags, and can lead to the installation of compromised packages, posing security risks.
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.
Uninstall the exceptional_coyote_dumbs package immediately using 'npm uninstall exceptional_coyote_dumbs' and check for any other affected packages.
Currently, there is no patched version available for the exceptional_coyote_dumbs package. It is recommended to remove it from your project.
