Malicious Code Injection in manaf-asi-manta: A Threat to npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-159500: Malicious code in manaf-asi-manta (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
manaf-asi-manta is an npm package that appears to be part of a broader campaign aimed at exploiting the npm registry. This package is designed to interact with the tea.xyz token reward system, which incentivizes developers to publish packages. However, it has been compromised to include malicious scripts that manipulate package metadata and flood the registry with derivative packages.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in manaf-asi-manta originates from its malicious code, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags and alters version numbers. It generates random package names, primarily themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants to pollute the npm registry. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of the npm ecosystem but also inflates developer reputation scores fraudulently, potentially leading to further exploitation.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall manaf-asi-mantaIf 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 manaf-asi-manta package from your project by executing: npm uninstall manaf-asi-manta. This will prevent any malicious code from executing until a fix is applied.
Conclusion
The manaf-asi-manta package has been identified as a vector for malicious code injection, posing significant risks to npm users. It is crucial to take immediate action by updating or removing the package and utilizing tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in your projects.
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FAQ
manaf-asi-manta is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been compromised to include malicious scripts.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized modifications of your package metadata, potentially compromising your project's integrity and security.
You should uninstall the package immediately and monitor for any updates or patches that may address the vulnerability.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. You can check your application using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner without any signup.
Regularly update your dependencies, use tools like Vulert for monitoring, and review package sources before installation to ensure they are trustworthy.
