Malicious Code Exploit in fractv Package: npm Vulnerability Overview
Summary
MAL-2025-171230: Malicious code in fractv (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The fractv package is part of the npm ecosystem, primarily used for various JavaScript applications. It is designed to facilitate certain functionalities within the npm framework. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with harmful packages, impacting developers and users alike.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the fractv package stems from its association with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package includes malicious scripts that modify the package.json file to remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names. The scripts continuously republish these variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially compromising the integrity of other packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall fractv
If 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 remove the fractv package from your project by executing 'npm uninstall fractv'. This will prevent any malicious scripts from executing while you assess the situation and look for alternatives.
Conclusion
The fractv package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters project files and repopulates the npm registry with harmful variants. It is essential to take immediate action by updating or removing the package and utilizing tools like Vulert for ongoing vulnerability monitoring.
See every vulnerability recorded for fractv →
FAQ
The fractv package is a JavaScript library available on npm, but it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that can compromise your project.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized modifications of your package.json file, potentially allowing malicious code to execute and affecting your project's integrity.
If you have installed fractv, it is crucial to uninstall it immediately and check for any unauthorized changes in your project.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access or installation.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.