Malicious Code Injection in exceptional_xerinae_dumbs Package
Summary
MAL-2025-102322: Malicious code in exceptional_xerinae_dumbs (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The exceptional_xerinae_dumbs package is part of the npm ecosystem and appears to be associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages, which can inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. However, it has been identified as containing malicious scripts that compromise the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the package's malicious code, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially harming developers' reputations and project integrity. The malicious payload is executed through scripts like auto.js and autopublish.js, which are designed to automate these harmful actions.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall exceptional_xerinae_dumbsIf 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 prevent the execution of the malicious scripts by restricting access to the npm registry or using a private registry for your projects. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The exceptional_xerinae_dumbs package contains malicious code that poses a significant risk to developers and their projects. Immediate action is required to remove the package and monitor for any further vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can aid in maintaining the security of your dependencies.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json, removes private flags, and can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, affecting your project's integrity.
You should uninstall the package immediately using 'npm uninstall exceptional_xerinae_dumbs' and check your package-lock.json for any references.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just your package-lock.json.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
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Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
