Malicious Code Injection in messi-tedda-reua Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-160342: Malicious code in messi-tedda-reua (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The messi-tedda-reua package is part of a series of npm packages that have been associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are typically designed to manipulate the npm registry by generating and publishing numerous derivative packages with randomized names. This behavior is intended to inflate developer reputation scores for rewards associated with the tea protocol.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the messi-tedda-reua package stems from its malicious code that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags and alters version numbers. It generates random package names, often themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants to pollute the npm registry. This not only compromises the integrity of the npm ecosystem but also poses risks to developers who may unknowingly use these manipulated packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall messi-tedda-reuaIf 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 messi-tedda-reua package and any other packages associated with the tea.xyz campaign. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at https://vulert.com/scanner without needing to sign up.
Conclusion
The messi-tedda-reua package presents a significant security risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to be vigilant, remove affected packages, and utilize tools like Vulert to safeguard their projects from similar vulnerabilities.
See every vulnerability recorded for messi-tedda-reua →
FAQ
The messi-tedda-reua package is an npm package linked to a campaign that aims to inflate developer reputation scores through the creation of numerous derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code into your project, compromising its security and integrity.
You should immediately remove the messi-tedda-reua package from your project and monitor your dependencies for any other malicious packages.
Yes, you can use tools like Vulert to monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities in real-time and receive alerts for any issues.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities in your application without needing to sign up.
