Malicious Code Injection in metropolitan_mosquito-silentdev Package
Summary
MAL-2025-105812: Malicious code in metropolitan_mosquito-silentdev (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The metropolitan_mosquito-silentdev package is part of the npm ecosystem, typically used for various development purposes. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that aims to manipulate the npm registry by generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. This package's functionality has been compromised, making it a potential risk for developers who inadvertently use it.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the metropolitan_mosquito-silentdev package stems from its association with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which floods npm with malicious packages. These packages contain scripts that automatically modify the package.json file to remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names. The result is a polluted npm registry, which can lead to security risks and a loss of trust in the ecosystem. The malicious payload can also inflate developer reputation scores fraudulently, further complicating the issue.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall metropolitan_mosquito-silentdevIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a workaround, you can manually remove the metropolitan_mosquito-silentdev package from your project by executing the following command in your terminal: npm uninstall metropolitan_mosquito-silentdev. This will help prevent any malicious scripts from executing in your environment.
Conclusion
The metropolitan_mosquito-silentdev package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate the npm registry. Developers are advised to uninstall this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert. Staying informed and proactive is essential to maintaining the security of your software.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to manipulate the npm registry.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized modifications in your package.json file, potentially compromising your project's integrity and security.
You should uninstall the metropolitan_mosquito-silentdev package immediately to prevent any malicious activity.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software without requiring access to the code. You can check your application using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner.
Currently, there are no patches available for the metropolitan_mosquito-silentdev package. The best course of action is to remove it from your project.
