Malicious Code Injection in kind_wildfowl_dumbs: A Threat to npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-104833: Malicious code in kind_wildfowl_dumbs (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 package 'kind_wildfowl_dumbs' is part of a series of npm packages that have been identified as malicious. These packages are often linked to token reward campaigns that exploit the npm ecosystem. They are designed to inflate developer reputation scores by automatically publishing numerous derivative packages with randomized names. This behavior not only clutters the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'kind_wildfowl_dumbs' originates from its association with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. The malicious code embedded in the package modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. This leads to the continuous republishing of variants, which can pollute the npm registry and potentially compromise the integrity of projects that depend on these packages. Developers using this package may inadvertently expose their applications to security risks and reputation damage.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall kind_wildfowl_dumbs
If 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 workaround, you can avoid using the 'kind_wildfowl_dumbs' package altogether. If it is already in your project, remove it by executing: npm uninstall kind_wildfowl_dumbs. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities in real-time.
Conclusion
The 'kind_wildfowl_dumbs' package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code designed to exploit the npm ecosystem. It is crucial for developers to be aware of such vulnerabilities and take proactive measures to safeguard their projects. Removing the package and utilizing monitoring tools like Vulert can help maintain the integrity of your applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for kind_wildfowl_dumbs →
FAQ
'kind_wildfowl_dumbs' is an npm package that has been identified as malicious, linked to a token reward campaign that exploits the npm ecosystem.
Using 'kind_wildfowl_dumbs' can lead to security risks, including the potential for your project to be polluted with malicious code and reputational damage.
You should uninstall the package immediately using the command: npm uninstall kind_wildfowl_dumbs.
You can use Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file to alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities without requiring code access.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.