Malicious Code Injection in initial_locust-appteadev Package
Summary
MAL-2025-104200: Malicious code in initial_locust-appteadev (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The initial_locust-appteadev package is part of the npm ecosystem, primarily used for developing applications with Node.js. It is designed to facilitate various functionalities within the application development process. However, this package has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with harmful scripts, affecting developers and their projects.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the initial_locust-appteadev package stems from its association with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package contains malicious scripts that automatically modify the package.json file by removing private flags, changing version numbers, and generating random package names. The scripts continuously republish these variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially compromising the integrity of applications that depend on this package.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall initial_locust-appteadevIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary measure, avoid using the initial_locust-appteadev package and consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Always validate the integrity of packages before including them in your project.
Conclusion
The initial_locust-appteadev package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that alters package configurations and pollutes the npm registry. It is essential to remove this package from your projects and monitor for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert to ensure the security of your applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for initial_locust-appteadev →
FAQ
It is an npm package used in Node.js application development, but it has been compromised with malicious code.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file and repopulates the npm registry with harmful variants, potentially compromising your application's security.
You should uninstall the initial_locust-appteadev package immediately and replace it with a secure alternative.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities using just your package-lock.json file.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities in your application without any signup.
