Malicious Code Injection in overseas_tick_dumbs Package: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-106867: Malicious code in overseas_tick_dumbs (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The overseas_tick_dumbs package is part of a broader campaign targeting npm users, associated with the tea.xyz token reward initiative. This package is designed to automate the generation and publication of derivative packages, which can inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. Its functionality revolves around creating random package names and publishing them to the npm registry, which can lead to significant pollution of the ecosystem.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the malicious code embedded within the overseas_tick_dumbs package. This code modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names, primarily themed around Indonesian culture. The continuous republishing of these variants can lead to a polluted npm registry, making it difficult for developers to find legitimate packages and potentially compromising their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall overseas_tick_dumbsIf 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 avoid using the overseas_tick_dumbs package and any packages that depend on it. Regularly audit your package-lock.json file for any suspicious entries and remove any packages that you do not recognize or trust.
Conclusion
The overseas_tick_dumbs package poses a significant risk to npm users due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry with untrusted packages. It is crucial to remove this package from your projects and monitor for any dependencies that may be affected. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your applications.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with a token reward campaign that automates the generation of derivative packages, potentially leading to a polluted npm registry.
The malicious code can compromise your application's integrity by introducing untrusted packages, which may lead to security risks and instability.
You should uninstall the overseas_tick_dumbs package immediately and check for any other affected packages in your project.
You can use Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. You can check your application using the Vulert playground without any signup.
Yes, tools like Vulert can help you identify and alert you to open-source vulnerabilities in your software, ensuring you maintain a secure application.
