Malicious Code Injection in jacksonking Package: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-171379: Malicious code in jacksonking (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The jacksonking package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript development. It is often utilized for various functionalities within applications. However, this package has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with harmful scripts designed to manipulate package metadata and inflate developer reputation scores.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the jacksonking package stems from its association with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This campaign deploys malicious scripts that modify the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. The scripts continuously republish these variants, leading to pollution of the npm registry and potential security risks for developers who unknowingly install these packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall jacksonkingIf 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 avoid using the jacksonking package altogether. If it is already in your project, remove it by running: npm uninstall jacksonking. Additionally, consider using a tool like Vulert to monitor your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The jacksonking package poses a significant threat due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry. It is essential to remove this package from your projects and monitor for vulnerabilities to maintain the security of your applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for jacksonking →
FAQ
The jacksonking package is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at manipulating package metadata.
The vulnerability can lead to the installation of malicious scripts that compromise your project's integrity and security.
You should uninstall the jacksonking package immediately and monitor your project for any other vulnerabilities.
Yes, you can use Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without needing to sign up.
Regularly update your dependencies, monitor your package-lock.json with tools like Vulert, and review the packages you install for any known vulnerabilities.
