Malicious Code Injection in growing_kite_gray-22: A Threat to npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-103410: Malicious code in growing_kite_gray-22 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'growing_kite_gray-22' is part of a series of npm packages that have been associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to manipulate the npm registry by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. This behavior is intended to inflate developer reputation scores for rewards in the tea protocol, making it a significant concern for developers relying on npm for package management.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'growing_kite_gray-22' stems from its inclusion in a malicious campaign that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This results in the continuous republishing of variants that pollute the npm registry, potentially leading to security risks for developers who unknowingly incorporate these packages into their projects. The malicious payload can compromise the integrity of the npm ecosystem and mislead developers regarding the authenticity of packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall growing_kite_gray-22If 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 avoid using the 'growing_kite_gray-22' package and consider alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, regularly audit your package dependencies using tools like npm audit to identify and address vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The 'growing_kite_gray-22' package poses a significant threat due to its malicious behavior aimed at manipulating the npm registry. Developers should take immediate action to remove this package and monitor their dependencies for vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your projects.
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FAQ
It is an npm package involved in a malicious campaign that modifies package metadata to inflate developer reputation scores.
Incorporating this package can lead to security risks, including the potential for malicious code execution and pollution of the npm registry.
You should remove the package immediately and check for any other affected packages 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.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities in your application without signing up.
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Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
