Malicious Code Injection in hmrkib-devapptea: npm Package Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-103739: Malicious code in hmrkib-devapptea (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The hmrkib-devapptea package is part of the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm ecosystem with malicious packages. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages. The functionality of hmrkib-devapptea is compromised by malicious scripts that alter package metadata and republish variants, leading to potential security risks for developers using this package.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in hmrkib-devapptea originates from its association with a campaign that employs autopublish scripts to manipulate package.json files. This manipulation removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, ultimately leading to the pollution of the npm registry. The ramifications include the potential for developers to unknowingly use compromised packages, which can lead to security breaches and loss of trust in the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall hmrkib-devappteaIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, developers should avoid using the hmrkib-devapptea package until a secure version is released. Additionally, consider using alternative packages that do not have known vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The hmrkib-devapptea package contains a significant vulnerability due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and repopulates the npm registry with compromised packages. Developers are urged to avoid using this package and to monitor for updates or patches to ensure the security of their applications.
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FAQ
hmrkib-devapptea is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been identified as containing malicious code.
The vulnerability can lead to the use of compromised packages, which may introduce security risks and affect the integrity of your application.
If you have installed hmrkib-devapptea, it is advisable to remove it from your project and monitor for updates or patches.
You can use tools like Vulert to monitor your package-lock.json file for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access or installation.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
