Malicious Code Injection in muddy_echidna-tool: A Threat to npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-105992: Malicious code in muddy_echidna-tool (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The muddy_echidna-tool is an npm package that is part of the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate certain functionalities within the npm ecosystem but has been compromised to include malicious scripts. These scripts are intended to inflate developer reputation scores by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names, thereby polluting the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious code embedded within the muddy_echidna-tool package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, primarily themed around Indonesian culture. The continuous republishing of these variants can lead to a significant pollution of the npm registry, making it difficult for developers to find legitimate packages and potentially compromising their projects.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall muddy_echidna-toolIf 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 muddy_echidna-tool package from your project by executing the following command: npm uninstall muddy_echidna-tool. This will prevent any malicious activity associated with the package until a fix is applied.
Conclusion
The muddy_echidna-tool package has been compromised with malicious code that poses a significant threat to developers using npm. It is crucial to take immediate action by updating or uninstalling the package to safeguard your projects. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help monitor and alert for such vulnerabilities in real-time.
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FAQ
The muddy_echidna-tool is an npm package that was part of a token reward campaign but has been found to contain malicious code.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, removes private flags, and can lead to the generation of numerous unwanted packages, polluting the npm registry.
You should uninstall the muddy_echidna-tool package immediately and check for any updates or patches that may address the vulnerability.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just the package-lock.json file.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
Habilume
Habit tracker with a companion that grows with you
Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
