Malicious Code Injection in modest_primate-biggestdev Package
Summary
MAL-2025-105938: Malicious code in modest_primate-biggestdev (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The modest_primate-biggestdev package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. It is designed to facilitate the publication of packages, but has been compromised to include malicious scripts that manipulate package metadata. This vulnerability poses a significant risk to developers who may unknowingly use this package, as it can lead to reputation inflation and registry pollution.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious code embedded within the modest_primate-biggestdev package. This code modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. The intent is to create numerous derivative packages that clutter the npm registry, potentially harming the integrity of the ecosystem. Developers using this package may inadvertently contribute to this pollution, affecting their reputation and the reliability of the npm registry.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall modest_primate-biggestdevIf 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 modest_primate-biggestdev package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can monitor your project for any unauthorized changes to package.json and revert them if necessary.
Conclusion
The modest_primate-biggestdev package contains malicious code that poses a significant risk to developers and the npm ecosystem. It is crucial to remove this package from your projects and monitor for any unauthorized changes. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help you stay informed about vulnerabilities in your dependencies.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that has been compromised to include malicious code aimed at manipulating package metadata and inflating developer reputation scores.
Using this package can lead to unauthorized changes in your project’s package.json file, potentially harming your project's integrity and reputation.
You should uninstall the package immediately using 'npm uninstall modest_primate-biggestdev' and check for any other affected dependencies.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software by analyzing your package-lock.json.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities in your application without needing to sign up.
