Malicious Code Injection in polymera-butyas: A Threat to npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-164466: Malicious code in polymera-butyas (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'polymera-butyas' is part of a series of npm packages that emerged during the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to automate the generation and publication of derivative packages, often with randomized names, to artificially inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. This behavior poses significant risks to the integrity of the npm registry and the security of applications relying on these packages.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'polymera-butyas' stems from its malicious code that modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of variants, which pollutes the npm registry and can compromise the security of applications that depend on these packages. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the automated scripts (auto.js, autopublish.js, etc.) that are part of the package, which are designed to exploit the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall polymera-butyasIf 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 'polymera-butyas' package and instead look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can use the following command to uninstall the package: npm uninstall polymera-butyas.
Conclusion
The 'polymera-butyas' package presents a significant security risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate npm packages. It is essential for developers to remove this package and monitor their applications for any vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can aid in maintaining the security of your software.
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FAQ
The primary risk is the modification of package.json files, which can lead to the exposure of sensitive information and the introduction of malicious code into your application.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. Visit Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without requiring any signup.
If you have installed polymera-butyas, it is crucial to uninstall it immediately and check for any other affected packages in your project.
Yes, tools like Vulert can help monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities using just the package-lock.json file.
Regularly audit your dependencies, keep them updated, and use tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities.
