Malicious Code Vulnerability in existing_worm-appteadev Package
Summary
MAL-2025-102359: Malicious code in existing_worm-appteadev (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The existing_worm-appteadev package is part of the npm ecosystem and is 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 rewards. However, its functionality has been compromised, leading to significant security concerns.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from malicious code embedded within the existing_worm-appteadev package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, primarily themed around Indonesian culture. The malicious payload continuously republishes these variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially compromising the integrity of dependent projects. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the broader issue of malicious packages flooding the npm ecosystem, specifically targeting developers involved in the tea protocol token rewards.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall existing_worm-appteadevIf 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 prevent the installation of this package by using npm's package-lock.json to monitor dependencies. Ensure that your project does not include existing_worm-appteadev in its dependencies. You can also utilize Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities in real-time by checking your package-lock.json file.
Conclusion
The existing_worm-appteadev package contains malicious code that poses a significant risk to projects using it. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your software.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to automate the generation and publication of packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, removes private flags, and can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, affecting the integrity of your project.
You can use Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner to check your application for vulnerabilities without requiring any signup.
You should uninstall the existing_worm-appteadev package immediately and monitor your project for any other vulnerabilities.
Regularly monitor your dependencies using tools like Vulert, which can alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities.
