Malicious Code Injection in ocha-mendut82-ruro: A Threat to npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-106528: Malicious code in ocha-mendut82-ruro (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The package 'ocha-mendut82-ruro' is part of a series of npm packages that have been associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. The malicious nature of this package lies in its ability to modify the package.json file, removing private flags and altering version numbers, which poses a significant risk to developers and the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the package's malicious payload, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags and changes version numbers. It generates random Indonesian-themed package names and continuously republishes these variants to pollute the npm registry. This behavior not only compromises the security of the affected package but also affects the overall trustworthiness of the npm ecosystem, potentially leading to the distribution of malicious code to unsuspecting developers.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall ocha-mendut82-ruroIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary measure, avoid using the 'ocha-mendut82-ruro' package and consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. You can also monitor your package-lock.json file for any unauthorized changes.
Conclusion
The ocha-mendut82-ruro package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that alters package configurations and repopulates the npm registry with potentially harmful variants. It is crucial for developers to take immediate action by removing the package and monitoring their dependencies to ensure the integrity of their applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for ocha-mendut82-ruro →
FAQ
The main risk is that it modifies your package.json file, potentially allowing malicious code to be executed in your application.
You can use Vulert to monitor your package-lock.json file for vulnerabilities. Visit Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected.
You should uninstall the package immediately using 'npm uninstall ocha-mendut82-ruro' and review your project's dependencies for any other vulnerabilities.
Yes, consider using other npm packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Always verify the credibility of the packages you choose.
Regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert for real-time monitoring, and stay informed about the latest security advisories related to your packages.
