Malicious Code Injection in lively_damselfly_blush-96: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-105279: Malicious code in lively_damselfly_blush-96 (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
lively_damselfly_blush-96 is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign targeting the npm registry. This package is designed to manipulate the npm ecosystem by generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. Its primary function is to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards associated with the tea.xyz protocol, making it a significant concern for developers relying on npm packages.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in lively_damselfly_blush-96 originates from its association with a malicious campaign that employs autopublish scripts to create numerous derivative packages. These scripts modify the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. The continuous republishing of these variants leads to pollution of the npm registry, which can compromise the integrity of the ecosystem and potentially expose users to further security risks.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall lively_damselfly_blush-96
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 measure, you can avoid using the affected package and replace it with a known secure alternative. Always verify the integrity and reputation of packages before including them in your project.
Conclusion
The lively_damselfly_blush-96 package poses a significant threat to the npm ecosystem due to its malicious code designed to manipulate package publishing. It is essential for developers to be vigilant, remove affected packages, and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in their projects.
See every vulnerability recorded for lively_damselfly_blush-96 →
FAQ
lively_damselfly_blush-96 is an npm package involved in a malicious campaign that aims to inflate developer reputation scores through the creation of numerous derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, potentially exposing your project to further security risks and compromising the integrity of your dependencies.
You should uninstall the package immediately using the command npm uninstall lively_damselfly_blush-96 and replace it with a secure alternative.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file to alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities. You can check your application for vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground without any signup.
While specific alternatives depend on the functionality you require, always look for well-maintained and widely-used packages in the npm registry.