Malicious Code Injection in illegal_manatee_requirement Package
Summary
MAL-2025-94923: Malicious code in illegal_manatee_requirement (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The illegal_manatee_requirement package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript development. This package is suspected to be involved in a token reward campaign that aims to inflate developer reputation scores by flooding the npm registry with derivative packages. Its functionality is compromised by malicious scripts that manipulate package metadata.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from malicious code embedded in the illegal_manatee_requirement package. This code modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names, which leads to the continuous republishing of these variants. This not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages, potentially leading to security breaches in their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall illegal_manatee_requirementIf 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 illegal_manatee_requirement package from your project by executing the following command: npm uninstall illegal_manatee_requirement. Additionally, you can monitor your project for vulnerabilities using Vulert, which analyzes your package-lock.json file for real-time alerts on open-source vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The illegal_manatee_requirement package has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises the integrity of the npm registry and poses security risks to developers. It is essential to take immediate action by updating or removing the package and utilizing tools like Vulert for ongoing vulnerability monitoring.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores by flooding the npm registry with compromised packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially leading to security vulnerabilities and the introduction of unwanted packages into your project.
You can use Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
Regularly monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities, keep your packages updated, and use tools like Vulert to receive real-time alerts on open-source vulnerabilities.
If a patched version is not available, it is advisable to remove the package from your project and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality.
