Malicious Code Injection in intan-59: A Threat to npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-156570: Malicious code in intan-59 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'intan-59' is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that aims to exploit the npm registry by flooding it with derivative packages. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing scripts, which can lead to significant pollution of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'intan-59' originates from its association with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. It contains malicious scripts that modify the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of the affected package but also contributes to the degradation of the npm ecosystem by republishing variants that clutter the registry. The potential ramifications include loss of trust in the npm registry, increased difficulty in managing dependencies, and possible exploitation of other packages that rely on 'intan-59'.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall intan-59If 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 'intan-59' package from your project by executing the command: 'npm uninstall intan-59'. This will prevent any malicious code from executing while you assess the situation and look for a secure alternative package.
Conclusion
The 'intan-59' package poses a significant threat due to its malicious code designed to exploit the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to take immediate action by updating or removing the package to safeguard their applications. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in monitoring and managing open-source vulnerabilities effectively.
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FAQ
The malicious code can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, making it difficult to manage dependencies and potentially compromising other packages.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. Visit Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without needing to sign up.
If immediate updates are not possible, consider removing the package as a temporary measure to prevent any malicious activity.
The payload modifies the package.json file to remove private flags and changes version numbers, allowing it to republish variants with random names to inflate developer reputation scores.
Regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert for monitoring, and ensure you only install packages from trusted sources.
