Malicious Code Injection in hissing_rat-appteadev: npm Package Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-103727: Malicious code in hissing_rat-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 hissing_rat-appteadev package is part of the npm ecosystem, primarily used for various development tasks. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. This package is designed to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing scripts, which can lead to significant security risks.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the hissing_rat-appteadev package being involved in a malicious campaign that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, changes version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior allows the package to continuously republish variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially compromising the integrity of applications that depend on it. The malicious payload can lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, and a compromised development environment.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall hissing_rat-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 prevent the installation of the hissing_rat-appteadev package by adding it to your project's .npmrc file with the following line: 'package-lock=false'. This will help avoid any accidental installations until the vulnerability is addressed.
Conclusion
The hissing_rat-appteadev package poses a significant security risk due to its involvement in a malicious campaign that modifies package metadata and repopulates the npm registry with harmful variants. It is crucial to uninstall this package and monitor your project for vulnerabilities to maintain a secure development environment.
See every vulnerability recorded for hissing_rat-appteadev →
FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, and the pollution of the npm registry, which may compromise the integrity of your application.
You should uninstall the hissing_rat-appteadev package immediately and check for any dependencies that may rely on it.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities using just package-lock.json. You can check your application for vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground without any signup.
Regularly update your dependencies, monitor for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert, and replace any compromised packages with secure alternatives.
