Malicious Code Injection in quarrelsome_turtle_requirement Package
Summary
MAL-2025-96144: Malicious code in quarrelsome_turtle_requirement (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The quarrelsome_turtle_requirement package is part of the npm ecosystem, often utilized for various JavaScript applications. It is designed to facilitate certain functionalities within projects but has been compromised. This package is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been associated with malicious activities aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through automated scripts.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from malicious code embedded in the quarrelsome_turtle_requirement package. This code is designed to modify the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. The result is a continuous republishing of these variants, which pollutes the npm registry and can lead to significant security risks, including unauthorized access and manipulation of project dependencies.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall quarrelsome_turtle_requirementIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can remove the quarrelsome_turtle_requirement package from your project until a secure version is released. You can do this by executing the following command: npm uninstall quarrelsome_turtle_requirement.
Conclusion
The quarrelsome_turtle_requirement package has been identified as containing malicious code that poses significant risks to projects using it. It is essential to take immediate action by updating or uninstalling the package to safeguard your applications. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in monitoring and managing vulnerabilities effectively.
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FAQ
It is an npm package used in JavaScript applications, but it has been compromised with malicious code.
The malicious code modifies your package.json, potentially leading to unauthorized package republishing and security vulnerabilities.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. You can check your application using the Vulert playground without any signup.
As a temporary measure, you can uninstall the quarrelsome_turtle_requirement package to mitigate risks until a secure version is available.
Regularly monitor your dependencies using tools like Vulert and keep your packages updated to their latest secure versions.
