Malicious Code Vulnerability in misleading_egret_dumbs Package
Summary
MAL-2025-105885: Malicious code in misleading_egret_dumbs (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The misleading_egret_dumbs 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 npm with malicious packages. Its primary function is to facilitate the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages, often with randomized names, to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. This behavior poses significant risks to the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the misleading_egret_dumbs package originates from its design to include autopublish scripts that modify the package.json file. These modifications remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of variants. This not only pollutes the npm registry but also compromises the security and reliability of the packages available to developers. The malicious payload can potentially allow unauthorized access to sensitive information and disrupt the development process.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall misleading_egret_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 remove the misleading_egret_dumbs package from your project by executing the following command: npm uninstall misleading_egret_dumbs. This will prevent any malicious activity associated with the package until a secure version is available.
Conclusion
The misleading_egret_dumbs package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate package metadata and republish variants. It is crucial for developers to take immediate action by uninstalling the package and monitoring for updates to maintain the integrity of their applications.
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FAQ
The misleading_egret_dumbs package is an npm package involved in the tea.xyz token reward campaign, known for flooding the npm registry with malicious packages.
This vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and potential disruptions in your development process.
If you have the misleading_egret_dumbs package installed, you should uninstall it immediately and monitor for any updates or patches.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just package-lock.json. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground without any signup.
Regularly update your dependencies, monitor for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert, and review your package.json and package-lock.json files for any suspicious packages.
