Malicious Code Injection in masako-ma-gunung Package: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-160149: Malicious code in masako-ma-gunung (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The masako-ma-gunung package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with malicious packages. The primary function of such packages is to manipulate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the masako-ma-gunung package stems from its malicious code designed to modify the package.json file. This code removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the pollution of the npm registry. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which incentivizes the creation of such malicious packages. The ramifications include potential security risks for developers who unknowingly install these packages, as they may inadvertently contribute to the degradation of the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall masako-ma-gunungIf 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 masako-ma-gunung package and any other packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at https://vulert.com/scanner without any signup.
Conclusion
The masako-ma-gunung package poses a significant threat to npm users due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and contributes to the pollution of the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity of their projects.
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FAQ
The masako-ma-gunung package is an npm package that is part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through the automatic publication of derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially exposing your project to security risks and contributing to the pollution of the npm registry.
You should immediately remove the masako-ma-gunung package from your project and monitor your dependencies for any further vulnerabilities.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access or installation.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
