Malicious Code Injection in large_clam_dumbs Package: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-105014: Malicious code in large_clam_dumbs (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The 'large_clam_dumbs' package is part of a series of npm packages that emerged during the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to manipulate the npm registry by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with altered metadata. This behavior is intended to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards, posing a significant risk to the integrity of the npm ecosystem.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the 'large_clam_dumbs' 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, leading to the continuous republishing of these variants. The origin of this issue is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has flooded the npm registry with such malicious packages. The ramifications include potential pollution of the npm registry, compromised developer reputations, and increased difficulty in managing legitimate packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall large_clam_dumbsIf 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 prevent the installation of this package by using npm's package-lock.json file to monitor dependencies. Ensure that you do not include 'large_clam_dumbs' in your dependencies and regularly check for any unauthorized changes.
Conclusion
The 'large_clam_dumbs' package poses a significant threat to the npm ecosystem due to its malicious code that modifies package metadata. It is crucial for developers to be aware of this vulnerability, take immediate action to remove the package, and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for future vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
The 'large_clam_dumbs' package is a malicious npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to manipulate the npm registry.
This vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, compromising the integrity of your project and potentially affecting your developer reputation.
If you have installed the 'large_clam_dumbs' package, you should uninstall it immediately using 'npm uninstall large_clam_dumbs'.
Yes, you can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access or installation.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
