Malicious Code Injection in ita-50 Package: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-156968: Malicious code in ita-50 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The ita-50 package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with malicious packages. The primary functionality of such packages is to manipulate developer reputation scores through automated publishing scripts, which can lead to significant risks within the ecosystem.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the ita-50 package stems from its malicious code that modifies the package.json file. This code removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, which are then continuously republished to pollute the npm registry. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which incentivizes the creation of such malicious packages. The ramifications include potential security risks for developers who unknowingly use these packages, as well as the degradation of the npm registry's integrity.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall ita-50If 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 ita-50 package altogether. If it is already included in your project, consider removing it with the command: npm uninstall ita-50. Additionally, you can monitor your package-lock.json file for any unauthorized changes.
Conclusion
The ita-50 package poses a significant threat due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and pollutes the npm registry. It is essential for developers to be vigilant, update their packages, and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in their projects.
See every vulnerability recorded for ita-50 →
FAQ
The ita-50 package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been identified as containing malicious code.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially exposing your project to security risks and affecting the integrity of the npm registry.
If you have installed ita-50, you should uninstall it immediately using the command npm uninstall ita-50 and check for any unauthorized changes in your project.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just the package-lock.json file. You can check your application for vulnerabilities without any signup at the Vulert playground.
Regularly update your packages, monitor for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert, and review the package's source and reputation before installation.
