Malicious Code Injection in happy_cow-appteadev: npm Package Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-103593: Malicious code in happy_cow-appteadev (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 happy_cow-appteadev package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with malicious packages. The primary function of such packages is to manipulate developer reputation scores through automated publishing scripts, leading to potential security risks for users and developers alike.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in happy_cow-appteadev arises from the presence of malicious code designed to modify the package.json file. This code removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, which can lead to the continuous republishing of these variants. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which aims to inflate developer reputation scores by polluting the npm registry with derivative packages. The ramifications include compromised package integrity, potential exposure of sensitive information, and degradation of the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall happy_cow-appteadevIf 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 happy_cow-appteadev package and replace it with a trusted alternative. Additionally, you can monitor your package dependencies using tools like Vulert, which can alert you to vulnerabilities in real-time. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at https://vulert.com/scanner without any signup.
Conclusion
The happy_cow-appteadev package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and can lead to further exploitation. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity of their applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for happy_cow-appteadev →
FAQ
happy_cow-appteadev is an npm package that is part of a token reward campaign, which has been identified as containing malicious code.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially exposing sensitive information and compromising the integrity of your project.
It is advised to remove the happy_cow-appteadev package immediately and monitor your project for any unusual activity.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file to alert you in real-time for any open-source vulnerabilities.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
