Malicious Code Injection in intimate_bear_dumbs Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-104363: Malicious code in intimate_bear_dumbs (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The intimate_bear_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 creating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. The primary function of these packages is to inflate developer reputation scores in exchange for token rewards, making them a potential threat to the integrity of the npm ecosystem.
Vulnerability Detail
This vulnerability originates from the malicious design of the intimate_bear_dumbs package, which includes scripts that automatically modify the package.json file. The scripts remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of these variants. This behavior not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly incorporate these compromised packages into their projects, potentially leading to security breaches and loss of trust in the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall intimate_bear_dumbsIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary measure, you can avoid using the intimate_bear_dumbs package and any other packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. Regularly audit your package dependencies to identify and remove any potentially harmful packages.
Conclusion
The intimate_bear_dumbs package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to be vigilant and remove such packages from their projects to maintain the integrity of their applications. Regular audits and the use of tools like Vulert can help in identifying and mitigating these risks.
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FAQ
The intimate_bear_dumbs package is an npm package that is part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through the creation of derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and may compromise the integrity of your project by introducing malicious code.
You should uninstall the intimate_bear_dumbs package immediately using the command 'npm uninstall intimate_bear_dumbs' and audit your project for any other malicious packages.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just your package-lock.json file. You can also check your application for vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground without any signup.
There are no patches available for the intimate_bear_dumbs package as it is recommended to remove it entirely from your project.
