Malicious Code Injection in glamorous_swordtail_replicate_automation Package
Summary
MAL-2025-103273: Malicious code in glamorous_swordtail_replicate_automation (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 glamorous_swordtail_replicate_automation package is part of a series of npm packages that emerged during the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to automate the generation and publication of derivative packages, often with randomized names, to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. The package's functionality is compromised due to the presence of malicious code that alters its configuration and behavior.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the package being part of a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. The malicious code modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, changing version numbers, and generating random package names. This leads to the continuous republishing of variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially compromising the integrity of the software ecosystem. Developers using this package may unknowingly contribute to the spread of malicious code.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall glamorous_swordtail_replicate_automationIf 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 workaround, you can temporarily avoid using the glamorous_swordtail_replicate_automation package by removing it from your dependencies and replacing it with a trusted alternative. Additionally, you can monitor your package-lock.json file for any unauthorized changes.
Conclusion
The glamorous_swordtail_replicate_automation package is compromised by malicious code that alters its functionality and can affect the integrity of projects using it. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor for any updates or patches. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in identifying and mitigating such vulnerabilities in the future.
See every vulnerability recorded for glamorous_swordtail_replicate_automation →
FAQ
It is an npm package that is part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through automated package publishing.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file and can lead to the republishing of compromised packages, affecting the integrity of your project.
You should remove the glamorous_swordtail_replicate_automation package from your project and monitor for any updates or patches.
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.
Regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert for real-time monitoring, and stay informed about known vulnerabilities in the packages you use.
