Malicious Code Injection in graceward Package: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-171277: Malicious code in graceward (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The graceward package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. It is designed to facilitate various functionalities within applications, but it has been compromised. This vulnerability stems from its association with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has led to the proliferation of malicious packages that can manipulate the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The graceward package contains malicious code that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior is part of a broader scheme to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. The malicious payload continuously republishes variants of the package, polluting the npm registry and potentially affecting other packages and applications that depend on it.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall gracewardIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As an immediate workaround, consider removing the graceward package from your project if it is not essential. You can do this by executing the following command: npm uninstall graceward. Additionally, monitor your package-lock.json file for any unauthorized changes.
Conclusion
The graceward package has been identified as containing malicious code that poses a significant threat to the npm ecosystem. It is essential to take immediate action by updating or removing the package and monitoring your application for any unauthorized changes. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your software.
See every vulnerability recorded for graceward →
FAQ
The graceward package is a JavaScript library used within the npm ecosystem, but it has been compromised with malicious code.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized modifications of your package.json file, potentially compromising your application's integrity and security.
If you have installed graceward, you should uninstall it immediately and monitor your project for any unauthorized changes.
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.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
