Malicious Code Injection in pajero-cir16: A Threat to npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-163944: Malicious code in pajero-cir16 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
pajero-cir16 is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign targeting the npm registry. This package is designed to manipulate package metadata and inflate developer reputation scores through automated scripts. Its functionality is compromised due to the presence of malicious code that alters package.json files and republishes variants with random names.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in pajero-cir16 stems from its association with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which floods the npm registry with derivative packages. The malicious code modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, changing version numbers, and generating random package names. This not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses a risk of unintentional dependency inclusion in projects that rely on these packages. The origin of this vulnerability is traced back to automated scripts designed to exploit npm's publishing mechanisms.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall pajero-cir16If it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a workaround, you can temporarily avoid using pajero-cir16 by removing it from your dependencies. You can do this by executing the following command: npm uninstall pajero-cir16. Additionally, consider using a tool like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities in real-time.
Conclusion
The pajero-cir16 package poses a significant threat due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your applications.
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FAQ
pajero-cir16 is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing.
The vulnerability can lead to the inclusion of malicious code in your project, potentially compromising its security and integrity.
You should uninstall pajero-cir16 immediately and monitor your project for any signs of compromise.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time 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.
