Malicious Code Injection in pretty_swan-appteadev Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-107242: Malicious code in pretty_swan-appteadev (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The pretty_swan-appteadev package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package is implicated in the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been associated with malicious activities. The package is designed to facilitate the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages, potentially compromising the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from malicious code embedded within the pretty_swan-appteadev package. This code is designed to modify the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. The malicious payload continuously republishes these variants, leading to pollution of the npm registry and potentially damaging the reputation of developers associated with these packages. The origin of this issue is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which incentivizes the creation of such malicious packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall pretty_swan-appteadevIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can avoid using the pretty_swan-appteadev package and any of its derivatives. Additionally, you may consider using a tool like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at https://vulert.com/scanner without needing to sign up.
Conclusion
The pretty_swan-appteadev package poses a significant risk due to its embedded malicious code. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for pretty_swan-appteadev →
FAQ
The pretty_swan-appteadev package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been found to contain malicious code.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, removes private flags, and republishes variants, which can lead to reputation damage and registry pollution.
You can check your package-lock.json file or use tools like Vulert to scan your project for vulnerabilities.
Regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert for real-time monitoring, and stay updated with the latest security advisories.
Remove the affected package immediately and monitor your project for any unusual behavior. Consider using Vulert to ensure your project remains secure.
