Malicious Code Injection in prepared_kiwi-apptea Package
Summary
MAL-2025-107219: Malicious code in prepared_kiwi-apptea (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The prepared_kiwi-apptea package is part of the npm ecosystem, primarily used for various JavaScript applications. It is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with numerous derivative packages. This package, like others in the campaign, has been designed to manipulate developer reputation scores through automated publishing scripts.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the prepared_kiwi-apptea package stems from its inclusion in a malicious campaign that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of variants, which pollutes the npm registry and can potentially compromise the integrity of dependent applications. The malicious payload is executed through scripts that are automatically triggered, making it a significant threat to developers and users relying on this package.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall prepared_kiwi-appteaIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, consider removing the prepared_kiwi-apptea package from your project if it is not essential. You can uninstall it using the command: npm uninstall prepared_kiwi-apptea. Additionally, monitor your package-lock.json file for any unexpected changes.
Conclusion
The prepared_kiwi-apptea package has been identified as containing malicious code that poses a significant risk to developers and applications using it. It is essential to take immediate action by updating or removing the package to safeguard your projects. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in monitoring and managing open-source vulnerabilities effectively.
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FAQ
The vulnerability involves malicious code that modifies package.json and repackages it under random names, affecting the integrity of the npm registry.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. Check your application against the vulnerability using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner.
Using this package can lead to security breaches, as it may introduce malicious code into your application, compromising its functionality and security.
Regularly audit your dependencies and use tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities. Always keep your packages updated to the latest secure versions.
If an immediate update is not possible, consider removing the package and replacing it with a safer alternative until a fix is available.
