Malicious Code Injection in many_centipede_dumbs: A Threat to npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-105601: Malicious code in many_centipede_dumbs (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'many_centipede_dumbs' is part of a series of npm packages that emerged during 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 not only clutters the npm registry but also poses significant risks to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'many_centipede_dumbs' originates from its malicious payload, which modifies the package.json file by removing private flags and altering version numbers. It generates random package names, often themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants, leading to pollution of the npm registry. This can result in developers inadvertently using compromised packages, exposing their applications to potential security risks.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall many_centipede_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 avoid using the 'many_centipede_dumbs' package altogether and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The 'many_centipede_dumbs' package poses a significant threat due to its malicious behavior of modifying package files and republishing itself. It is crucial for developers to be vigilant about the packages they use and to regularly check for vulnerabilities to maintain the security of their applications.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that is part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores by flooding the npm registry with derivative packages.
Using the 'many_centipede_dumbs' package can expose your application to security risks, as it modifies critical files and repackages itself with potentially harmful code.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Simply upload your package-lock.json file to check for vulnerabilities without any installation.
You should immediately uninstall the 'many_centipede_dumbs' package and review your project's dependencies for any other potentially malicious packages.
Yes, you can use Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by vulnerabilities without needing to sign up.
