Malicious Code Injection in kentung-15 Package: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-157494: Malicious code in kentung-15 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The kentung-15 package is part of the npm ecosystem, primarily used for JavaScript development. 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 contain scripts that manipulate package metadata and publish derivative packages, posing a risk to developers and their projects.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the kentung-15 package originates from its design to include autopublish scripts that modify the package.json file. This malicious code removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the pollution of the npm registry. The ramifications include compromised developer reputation scores and potential security risks for applications relying on these packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall kentung-15If 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 remove the kentung-15 package from your project by running the following command: npm uninstall kentung-15. This will prevent any malicious code from executing in your application.
Conclusion
The kentung-15 package poses a significant threat due to its malicious code designed to manipulate package metadata and publish unwanted derivatives. Users are advised to uninstall the package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for kentung-15 →
FAQ
The kentung-15 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 package metadata, potentially leading to security vulnerabilities and the pollution of the npm registry with unwanted packages.
If you have installed kentung-15, it is recommended to uninstall the package immediately and monitor your project for any unusual behavior.
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 if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground.
Regularly update your dependencies, use tools like Vulert for monitoring vulnerabilities, and review package sources before installation to ensure they are trustworthy.
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Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
