Malicious Code Injection in internal_chicken_dumbs Package: npm Vulnerability Overview
Summary
MAL-2025-104352: Malicious code in internal_chicken_dumbs (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The internal_chicken_dumbs package is part of a series of npm packages that emerged during the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to automate the generation and publication of derivative packages, often with randomized names, to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. The package's functionality is primarily centered around publishing scripts that can manipulate npm registry entries.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the internal_chicken_dumbs package arises from its malicious payload, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of variants, ultimately polluting the npm registry. Originating from the tea.xyz token reward campaign, this vulnerability poses significant risks, including the potential for developers to unknowingly install compromised packages, leading to security breaches and reputational damage.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall internal_chicken_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 remove the internal_chicken_dumbs package from your project by executing the following command: npm uninstall internal_chicken_dumbs. This action will prevent the malicious code from executing until a proper fix is applied.
Conclusion
The internal_chicken_dumbs package presents a significant security risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and repopulates the npm registry with compromised packages. It is crucial for developers to take immediate action by updating or removing the package and to implement monitoring solutions like Vulert to stay informed about potential vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
The internal_chicken_dumbs package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to automate the publication of derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the installation of compromised packages, which may result in security breaches and damage to your project's reputation.
If you have installed the internal_chicken_dumbs package, it is recommended to uninstall it immediately and check for any other affected packages.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just package-lock.json. You can check your application for vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground without any signup.
To prevent similar vulnerabilities, regularly update your packages, use trusted sources, and monitor your dependencies for known vulnerabilities.
