Malicious Code Injection in galaxywatcher Package: npm Vulnerability Overview
Summary
MAL-2025-171252: Malicious code in galaxywatcher (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The galaxywatcher package is part of the npm ecosystem, typically used for various functionalities within JavaScript applications. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that exploits npm's package publishing system. This vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate package metadata and publish harmful derivatives, potentially affecting developers and users relying on this package.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the galaxywatcher package being involved in a token reward campaign that floods the npm registry with malicious packages. These packages contain scripts designed to modify the package.json file, removing private flags and altering version numbers. The scripts generate random package names and continuously republish variants, leading to pollution of the npm registry and potential security risks for users who unknowingly install these packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall galaxywatcherIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can avoid using the galaxywatcher package until a secure version is released. Additionally, consider using npm audit to identify and address vulnerabilities in your project's dependencies.
Conclusion
The galaxywatcher package has been identified as a vector for malicious code injection, posing significant risks to applications that utilize it. It is crucial for developers to update or remove this package and to monitor their dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain application security.
See every vulnerability recorded for galaxywatcher →
FAQ
The galaxywatcher package is an npm package used in JavaScript applications, but it has been compromised and is now associated with malicious activities.
If your application uses the galaxywatcher package, it may inadvertently install malicious code that can compromise your application's integrity and security.
You should immediately update the package to a patched version or remove it from your project to mitigate any potential risks.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just the package-lock.json file.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
