Malicious Code Vulnerability in impressed_crow_dumbs Package
Summary
MAL-2025-104017: Malicious code in impressed_crow_dumbs (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The impressed_crow_dumbs package is part of a series of npm packages that emerged during the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to manipulate the npm registry by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. This behavior is intended to inflate developer reputation scores for rewards associated with the tea protocol. The package's functionality is compromised due to its malicious intent, leading to potential pollution of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the impressed_crow_dumbs package originates from its design to include autopublish scripts that modify the package.json file. This modification removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, which can lead to the continuous republishing of variants. The ramifications include the potential for developers to unknowingly use compromised packages, which can affect the integrity of their applications and the overall npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall impressed_crow_dumbsIf 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 the impressed_crow_dumbs package by removing it from your package.json file and running npm install to refresh your dependencies. Additionally, consider using npm audit to identify and address any other vulnerabilities in your project.
Conclusion
The impressed_crow_dumbs package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package from their projects and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in real-time.
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FAQ
The impressed_crow_dumbs package is an npm package that is part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing.
This vulnerability can lead to the inclusion of compromised packages in your application, potentially affecting its security and integrity.
You can use the Vulert platform to monitor and alert for vulnerabilities in your application. Visit Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without any signup.
If you have the impressed_crow_dumbs package installed, remove it from your project and check for any updates or patches that may be available.
Vulert is a service that monitors open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just package-lock.json. It provides real-time alerts for any vulnerabilities detected.
