Malicious Code Injection in qori-bubursumsum32-apidev Package
Summary
MAL-2025-89812: Malicious code in qori-bubursumsum32-apidev (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The qori-bubursumsum32-apidev package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. It is designed to facilitate the generation and publication of derivative packages. However, this package has been identified as malicious, containing scripts that manipulate package metadata and inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the presence of malicious code within the qori-bubursumsum32-apidev package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of variants that pollute the npm registry. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which exploits npm's publishing mechanisms for nefarious purposes.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall qori-bubursumsum32-apidevIf 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 temporarily disable the automatic publishing scripts by removing or renaming the auto.js, autopublish.js, autopublish2.js, and autopublish3.js files if they exist in your project. Additionally, consider using npm audit to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities in your dependencies.
Conclusion
The qori-bubursumsum32-apidev package contains malicious code that poses a significant risk to npm users. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can enhance your security posture by providing real-time alerts for open-source vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, removes private flags, and generates random package names, which can lead to reputation inflation and registry pollution.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. Check your application using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner.
It is advisable to remove the qori-bubursumsum32-apidev package immediately and check for any updates or patches in the npm registry.
Yes, tools like npm audit and Vulert can help you identify and manage vulnerabilities in your npm packages effectively.
