Malicious Code Injection in nudela-af-gaaffa Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-163718: Malicious code in nudela-af-gaaffa (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The nudela-af-gaaffa package is part of the npm ecosystem and has been identified as a component of a broader malicious campaign targeting developers. This package is designed to facilitate token rewards through the tea.xyz protocol, which has led to the proliferation of numerous derivative packages with randomized names. The malicious nature of this package lies in its ability to manipulate package metadata and publish harmful variants, affecting the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the nudela-af-gaaffa package, which contains scripts that automatically modify the package.json file. These modifications include removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. The primary risk is that this package can flood the npm registry with malicious variants, potentially compromising other developers' projects and inflating reputation scores fraudulently. The malicious payload is designed to continuously republish these variants, leading to a polluted ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall nudela-af-gaaffaIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary measure, you can prevent the installation of this malicious package by using the following command to uninstall it: npm uninstall nudela-af-gaaffa. Additionally, consider using npm audit to identify and address other vulnerabilities in your project.
Conclusion
The nudela-af-gaaffa package poses a significant risk to the npm ecosystem due to its malicious intent to manipulate package metadata and flood the registry with harmful variants. It is essential for developers to remain vigilant, remove affected packages, and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in their projects.
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FAQ
The nudela-af-gaaffa package is an npm package associated with a malicious campaign that aims to exploit the npm registry for fraudulent purposes.
This vulnerability can lead to the injection of malicious code into your project, potentially compromising its security and integrity.
You should immediately uninstall the nudela-af-gaaffa package and check for any other affected dependencies in your project.
Yes, you can use tools like Vulert, which monitors and alerts you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities using just your package-lock.json file.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
