Malicious Code Detected in messi-adaea-dssd: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-160285: Malicious code in messi-adaea-dssd (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'messi-adaea-dssd' 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. The malicious nature of this package poses a significant risk to the integrity of the npm registry and its users.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the package's design to include autopublish scripts that modify the package.json file by removing private flags and changing version numbers. It generates random package names, primarily themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants to clutter the npm registry. This behavior can lead to reputation inflation and potential exploitation of developers who unknowingly use these packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall messi-adaea-dssdIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, avoid using the 'messi-adaea-dssd' package and consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Regularly audit your dependencies using tools like npm audit to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The 'messi-adaea-dssd' package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package configurations and floods the npm registry. It is essential for developers to remove this package and monitor their dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity of their projects.
See every vulnerability recorded for messi-adaea-dssd →
FAQ
The main issue is that it contains malicious code that modifies package.json and floods the npm registry with derivative packages.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities, to check if your application is affected.
You should uninstall the package immediately using 'npm uninstall messi-adaea-dssd' and check for any other affected packages.
Yes, tools like npm audit and Vulert can help you identify and manage vulnerabilities in your npm packages.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities without any signup.
