Malicious Code Injection in howell-wallet-store: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-103817: Malicious code in howell-wallet-store (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
howell-wallet-store is an npm package designed for managing wallet functionalities in decentralized applications. It allows developers to integrate wallet features seamlessly into their projects. However, this package has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that exploits npm's ecosystem, leading to significant security concerns for users and developers alike.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the howell-wallet-store package being associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This campaign floods npm with malicious packages that contain scripts designed to auto-generate and publish derivative packages with randomized names. The malicious payload modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and continuously republishes variants, thereby polluting the npm registry. This can lead to compromised developer reputation scores and potential security risks for applications relying on this package.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall howell-wallet-storeIf 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 remove the howell-wallet-store package from your project until a secure version is released. To uninstall the package, use the following command: npm uninstall howell-wallet-store. Additionally, consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The howell-wallet-store package has been identified as a vector for malicious code injection, posing significant risks to developers and their applications. It is crucial to take immediate action by updating or removing the package to safeguard your projects. Utilizing tools like Vulert can further enhance your security posture by providing real-time monitoring for vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
howell-wallet-store is an npm package used for integrating wallet functionalities into decentralized applications.
The vulnerability can lead to the injection of malicious code, compromising the security of your application and potentially affecting its reputation.
You should update the package to the latest version or remove it from your project until a secure version is available.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software by analyzing the 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.
