Malicious Code Injection in provincial_mackerel_dumbs Package
Summary
MAL-2025-107395: Malicious code in provincial_mackerel_dumbs (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
Habilume
Habit tracker with a companion that grows with you
Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
Background
The provincial_mackerel_dumbs package is part of the npm ecosystem, typically used for various JavaScript functionalities. However, this package has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that aims to exploit npm's publishing system. It is designed to inflate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages with randomized names, which can lead to significant pollution of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious code embedded within the provincial_mackerel_dumbs package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, primarily themed around Indonesian culture. The result is a continuous republishing of these variants, which not only clutters the npm registry but also poses a risk of reputation damage to developers and potential security threats to applications relying on these packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall provincial_mackerel_dumbsIf 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 remove the provincial_mackerel_dumbs package from your project by executing the following command: npm uninstall provincial_mackerel_dumbs. This will prevent any malicious code from executing in your application until a fix is applied.
Conclusion
The provincial_mackerel_dumbs package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry with derivative packages. It is essential to take immediate action by uninstalling the package and monitoring for updates or patches to safeguard your application.
See every vulnerability recorded for provincial_mackerel_dumbs →
FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file and can lead to the publication of derivative packages, potentially compromising your application's integrity.
You should uninstall the package immediately and check for any updates or patches that may address the vulnerability.
Yes, you can use tools like Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just your package-lock.json file.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without needing to sign up.
Habilume
Habit tracker with a companion that grows with you
Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
