Malicious Code Injection in irrelevant_narwhal-apptea Package
Summary
MAL-2025-104426: Malicious code in irrelevant_narwhal-apptea (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The irrelevant_narwhal-apptea package is part of the tea.xyz token reward campaign that has infiltrated the npm ecosystem. Designed to facilitate the generation and publication of derivative packages, it aims to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. This package is characterized by its use of autopublish scripts that automate the creation of numerous variants with randomized names, which can lead to pollution of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious code embedded within the irrelevant_narwhal-apptea package. This code modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names, primarily themed around Indonesian culture. The continuous republishing of these variants can severely compromise the integrity of the npm registry, leading to potential security risks for developers and users relying on legitimate packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall irrelevant_narwhal-appteaIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can prevent the installation of this package by adding it to your project's .npmrc file with the following line: 'package-lock=false'. This will disable the automatic installation of packages that may include this vulnerability.
Conclusion
The irrelevant_narwhal-apptea package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert. By staying informed and proactive, you can protect your applications from potential threats.
See every vulnerability recorded for irrelevant_narwhal-apptea →
FAQ
The impact includes the potential for malicious code execution, which can compromise the security of applications relying on this package.
You can use Vulert to monitor your package-lock.json file for vulnerabilities. Visit Vulert Scanner to check your application without any signup.
If you have installed the irrelevant_narwhal-apptea package, you should uninstall it immediately and look for secure alternatives.
While specific alternatives may vary based on your use case, consider exploring other npm packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Vulert uses your package-lock.json to monitor and alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities, ensuring your application remains secure.
