Malicious Code Injection in residential_worm_dumbs Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-107940: Malicious code in residential_worm_dumbs (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The residential_worm_dumbs package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with malicious packages. The primary functionality of this package is to serve as a tool for developers, but it has been compromised to include harmful scripts that manipulate package metadata.
Vulnerability Detail
This vulnerability originates from the malicious intent behind the residential_worm_dumbs package, which contains scripts designed to automatically generate and publish derivative packages with randomized names. These scripts modify the package.json file to remove private flags, alter version numbers, and continuously republish variants to pollute the npm registry. The ramifications include potential security risks for developers who unknowingly use this package, as it can lead to reputation damage and the proliferation of malicious software in the ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall residential_worm_dumbsIf 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 avoid using the residential_worm_dumbs package altogether and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The residential_worm_dumbs package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate npm package metadata. It is crucial for developers to be vigilant and remove such packages from their projects to maintain the integrity of their applications. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in monitoring and identifying vulnerabilities in real-time.
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FAQ
The residential_worm_dumbs package is an npm package that has been compromised to include malicious code aimed at manipulating package metadata and inflating developer reputation scores.
You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using Vulert, which monitors open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Visit Vulert Scanner to use the Vulert playground without any signup.
If you have installed the residential_worm_dumbs package, you should uninstall it immediately using the command npm uninstall residential_worm_dumbs.
Yes, you should look for reputable and well-maintained packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Always verify the package's credibility before installation.
To protect your project, regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert to monitor vulnerabilities, and only install packages from trusted sources.
