Malicious Code Injection in precise-gray-cattle Package
Summary
MAL-2025-69968: Malicious code in precise-gray-cattle (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The precise-gray-cattle package is part of the npm ecosystem, often used in JavaScript applications for various functionalities. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that aims to inflate developer reputation scores through the tea.xyz token reward system. This package, like others in the campaign, is designed to automatically generate and publish derivative packages with altered metadata, leading to potential security risks.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the precise-gray-cattle package stems from its association with a malicious campaign that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags and change version numbers. It generates random package names and continuously republishes variants, polluting the npm registry. This behavior can lead to unauthorized access, reputation damage for developers, and a compromised npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall precise-gray-cattleIf 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 remove the precise-gray-cattle package from your project if it is not essential. Use the command: 'npm uninstall precise-gray-cattle'. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities in real-time.
Conclusion
The precise-gray-cattle package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code injection. It is crucial for developers to take immediate action by updating or removing the package to protect their applications. Utilizing tools like Vulert can further enhance security by providing real-time monitoring for vulnerabilities.
See every vulnerability recorded for precise-gray-cattle →
FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized modifications in your project, potentially compromising its security and integrity.
You should update the package to the latest version or remove it from your project to mitigate the risk.
You can use Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities in your application without any signup.
