Malicious Code Injection in heavy_sole-appteadev: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-103633: Malicious code in heavy_sole-appteadev (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
heavy_sole-appteadev is an npm package that is part of the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages, which can inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. However, it has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in heavy_sole-appteadev originates from its malicious payload that modifies the package.json file. It removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random Indonesian-themed package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially compromising other packages. The malicious scripts (auto.js, autopublish.js, etc.) are designed to automate this process, making it difficult for developers to detect the issue.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall heavy_sole-appteadevIf 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 prevent the installation of this malicious package by using npm's package-lock.json to monitor dependencies. You can also use the following command to uninstall the package: npm uninstall heavy_sole-appteadev.
Conclusion
The heavy_sole-appteadev package poses a significant threat due to its malicious code that alters project files and pollutes the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity of their projects.
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FAQ
heavy_sole-appteadev is an npm package involved in the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been identified to contain malicious code.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, removes private flags, and generates random package names, leading to potential pollution of the npm registry.
You should uninstall the heavy_sole-appteadev package immediately and check for any updates or patches that may be available.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities using just your 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.
