Malicious Code Injection in large_finch_dumbs Package: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-105015: Malicious code in large_finch_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 large_finch_dumbs package is part of a series of npm packages that have been associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. This behavior poses a significant risk to the integrity of the npm registry and can lead to the proliferation of malicious software.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the large_finch_dumbs package stems from its malicious payload, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This allows the package to continuously republish variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially compromising other projects that depend on these packages. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to a broader campaign aimed at exploiting the npm ecosystem for token rewards, making it a significant concern for developers and users alike.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall large_finch_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 temporary workaround, you can avoid using the large_finch_dumbs package and any other packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. Regularly audit your project's dependencies to identify and remove any potentially harmful packages.
Conclusion
The large_finch_dumbs package poses a significant risk due to its malicious behavior aimed at manipulating the npm ecosystem. It is crucial for developers to be vigilant and remove any affected packages from their projects to maintain security and integrity. Utilizing tools like Vulert can aid in monitoring for such vulnerabilities effectively.
See every vulnerability recorded for large_finch_dumbs →
FAQ
The large_finch_dumbs package is an npm package that is part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through automated publishing of derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code into your project, potentially compromising its security and integrity.
If you have installed the large_finch_dumbs package, you should uninstall it immediately using the command npm uninstall large_finch_dumbs.
Yes, tools like Vulert can help monitor and alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software without requiring access to the code or installation.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.