Malicious Code Injection in plastic_alligator-appteadev Package
Summary
MAL-2025-107100: Malicious code in plastic_alligator-appteadev (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The plastic_alligator-appteadev package is part of the npm ecosystem, typically used for various development tasks. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that aims to inflate developer reputation scores through the creation and publication of derivative packages. This package is particularly vulnerable due to its association with scripts that automate the generation of harmful variants.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the package being part of a malicious campaign linked to the tea.xyz token reward initiative. It contains scripts that automatically modify the package.json file to remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of these variants, which pollutes the npm registry and can compromise the integrity of other packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall plastic_alligator-appteadevIf 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 avoid using the plastic_alligator-appteadev package and replace it with a trusted alternative that provides similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The plastic_alligator-appteadev package has been identified as a vector for malicious code that can compromise the integrity of npm packages. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their applications for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert to maintain security.
See every vulnerability recorded for plastic_alligator-appteadev →
FAQ
The package contains malicious code that modifies package.json files and repackages itself to inflate developer reputation scores.
You can use Vulert to monitor your application for vulnerabilities. Simply upload your package-lock.json file to the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for any issues.
It is advised to uninstall the plastic_alligator-appteadev package immediately and replace it with a secure alternative.
The main impact is the pollution of the npm registry, which can lead to the proliferation of malicious packages and compromise the security of dependent projects.
Vulert uses your package-lock.json to monitor and alert you in real-time about open-source vulnerabilities, ensuring your software remains secure.
