Malicious Code in nice_centipede-apptea: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-106297: Malicious code in nice_centipede-apptea (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'nice_centipede-apptea' is part of the tea.xyz token reward campaign that has infiltrated the npm ecosystem. It is designed to automate the generation and publication of derivative packages with randomized names, which can inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. This malicious behavior poses a significant risk to developers and users relying on npm for package management.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'nice_centipede-apptea' stems from its inclusion in a campaign that deploys autopublish scripts (auto.js, autopublish.js, autopublish2.js, autopublish3.js). These scripts modify the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of variants. This not only pollutes the npm registry but also compromises the integrity of the packages, potentially exposing users to further malicious activities.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall nice_centipede-appteaIf 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 'nice_centipede-apptea' package from your project by executing: 'npm uninstall nice_centipede-apptea'. This will prevent any malicious code from executing until a secure version is available.
Conclusion
The 'nice_centipede-apptea' package presents a significant security risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate the npm registry. Users are advised to take immediate action by uninstalling the package and monitoring their applications for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert.
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FAQ
The main threat is the automatic generation of malicious packages that can compromise the integrity of the npm registry and potentially harm users' applications.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just your package-lock.json. Visit the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check your application without any signup.
If you have installed 'nice_centipede-apptea', it is crucial to uninstall it immediately and check for any updates or patches that may be available.
While specific exploits have not been detailed, the nature of the vulnerability suggests that it could lead to further malicious activities, including the installation of unwanted packages.
Regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert for real-time monitoring, and stay informed about the latest security advisories in the open-source community.
