Malicious Code Injection in kentung-13: A Threat to npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-157492: Malicious code in kentung-13 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'kentung-13' is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. It is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with malicious packages. These packages often include scripts designed to manipulate package metadata and inflate developer reputation scores, posing significant risks to users and the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'kentung-13' originates from its association with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. It contains malicious code that modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, changing version numbers, and generating random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of variants, which pollutes the npm registry and can compromise the security of applications relying on these packages. The malicious payload can potentially allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or disrupt the functionality of dependent applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall kentung-13If 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 'kentung-13' and replace it with a secure alternative package that provides similar functionality. Always verify the integrity and source of packages before installation.
Conclusion
The 'kentung-13' package poses a significant threat due to its malicious code that manipulates package metadata and pollutes the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package from their projects and adopt best practices for package management to safeguard their applications.
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FAQ
'kentung-13' is an npm package that has been identified as malicious and is part of a campaign to manipulate the npm registry.
The malicious code can modify your package.json, leading to potential security risks and instability in your application.
You can use Vulert to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Visit Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without any signup.
You should uninstall 'kentung-13' immediately using 'npm uninstall kentung-13' and replace it with a secure alternative.
Regularly update your packages, use trusted sources, and monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert.
