Malicious Code Injection in related_crocodile_dumbs Package
Summary
MAL-2025-107835: Malicious code in related_crocodile_dumbs (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The related_crocodile_dumbs package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate the automatic generation and publishing of derivative packages, which can inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. However, it has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious code embedded in the related_crocodile_dumbs 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 ramifications include potential security risks for developers who unknowingly use these compromised packages, as well as damage to the reputation of the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall related_crocodile_dumbsIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary measure, you can avoid using the related_crocodile_dumbs package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can monitor your package-lock.json file for any unauthorized changes.
Conclusion
The related_crocodile_dumbs package poses a significant risk due to its embedded malicious code, which alters project files and can lead to security vulnerabilities. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their projects for any unauthorized changes.
See every vulnerability recorded for related_crocodile_dumbs →
FAQ
It is an npm package involved in the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to automatically generate and publish derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially leading to security vulnerabilities and the pollution of the npm registry.
You should remove the related_crocodile_dumbs package from your project and monitor for any unauthorized changes in your package-lock.json.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using 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.
