Malicious Code Injection in paulette-validator-catalyst: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-106996: Malicious code in paulette-validator-catalyst (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
paulette-validator-catalyst is an npm package that is part of the tea.xyz token reward campaign. It is designed to facilitate token rewards through various automated scripts. However, this package has been identified as containing malicious code that can compromise the integrity of the npm registry and inflate developer reputation scores through deceptive practices.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in paulette-validator-catalyst originates from its association with a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. These packages contain scripts that modify the package.json file to remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names. The continuous republishing of these variants can lead to pollution of the npm registry, potentially affecting other developers and users relying on legitimate packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall paulette-validator-catalystIf 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 paulette-validator-catalyst package from your project by executing the following command: npm uninstall paulette-validator-catalyst. This will prevent any potential malicious activity associated with the package until a fix is applied.
Conclusion
The paulette-validator-catalyst package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that can disrupt the npm ecosystem. It is essential for developers to take immediate action by uninstalling the package and monitoring their projects for vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your applications.
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FAQ
paulette-validator-catalyst is an npm package involved in the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been identified to contain malicious code.
The malicious code can modify your package.json file, remove private flags, and publish unauthorized variants, potentially compromising your project's integrity.
You should uninstall the paulette-validator-catalyst package immediately and check for any updates or patches that may address the vulnerability.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities using just your package-lock.json file. You can also check your application for vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground without any signup.
Regularly update your dependencies, use tools like Vulert for monitoring, and review package sources before installation to minimize the risk of vulnerabilities.
