Malicious Code Vulnerability in monetary_starfish-appteadev Package
Summary
MAL-2025-105958: Malicious code in monetary_starfish-appteadev (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The monetary_starfish-appteadev package is part of the npm ecosystem, primarily used for applications that may involve token rewards. This package has been identified as part of a broader campaign that floods the npm registry with malicious packages designed to manipulate developer reputation scores. The vulnerability stems from its association with scripts that automate the creation and publication of derivative packages, leading to potential security risks for developers and users alike.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in monetary_starfish-appteadev originates from its inclusion in a malicious campaign that modifies package.json files to remove private flags and alters version numbers. It generates random package names, often themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants to clutter the npm registry. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of the npm ecosystem but also poses risks to applications relying on this package, potentially leading to unauthorized access or data manipulation.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall monetary_starfish-appteadevIf 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 monetary_starfish-appteadev package from your project until a secure version is released. You can do this by executing the following command: npm uninstall monetary_starfish-appteadev. Additionally, consider using alternative packages that do not exhibit such vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The monetary_starfish-appteadev package has been identified as containing malicious code that poses significant risks to developers and users. It is crucial to address this vulnerability by updating or removing the package and utilizing tools like Vulert for ongoing monitoring of open-source vulnerabilities.
See every vulnerability recorded for monetary_starfish-appteadev →
FAQ
The vulnerability involves malicious code that modifies package.json files and floods the npm registry with derivative packages.
You can use Vulert, which monitors open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. By using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner, you can check if your application is affected without any signup.
Using this package can lead to unauthorized access, data manipulation, and a compromised development environment due to its malicious behavior.
Regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert for monitoring, and stay updated with the latest security patches for all packages.
If an immediate update is not possible, consider removing the package and using alternative solutions until a secure version is available.
