Malicious Code Vulnerability in poor_catshark-silentdev Package
Summary
MAL-2025-107137: Malicious code in poor_catshark-silentdev (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The poor_catshark-silentdev package is part of the npm ecosystem, typically used for various development purposes. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through the tea.xyz token reward system. This package, like others in the campaign, contains scripts that automatically generate and publish derivative packages with randomized names, leading to potential pollution of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the poor_catshark-silentdev package being part of a malicious set of npm packages designed to manipulate the npm registry. The malicious payload modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, which can lead to the proliferation of unwanted packages in the npm ecosystem. This not only affects the integrity of the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall poor_catshark-silentdevIf 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 poor_catshark-silentdev package and any of its derivatives. Additionally, consider using npm audit to identify and address vulnerabilities in your project's dependencies.
Conclusion
The poor_catshark-silentdev package has been identified as a malicious entity within the npm ecosystem, posing significant risks to developers and their projects. Immediate action is required to remove this package and monitor for any further vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can aid in maintaining the security of your software.
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FAQ
The poor_catshark-silentdev package is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing.
This vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, potentially introducing unwanted or malicious packages into your project, which can compromise security and functionality.
If you have installed the poor_catshark-silentdev package, you should remove it immediately and check for any other affected packages in your project.
You can use tools like 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.
To prevent future vulnerabilities, regularly audit your dependencies using npm audit, and consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your projects for any open-source vulnerabilities.
