Malicious Code Injection in Respectable Frog Dumbs Package
Summary
MAL-2025-107952: Malicious code in respectable_frog_dumbs (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The 'respectable_frog_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 publication of derivative packages, which can inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. However, it has been identified as containing malicious scripts that compromise its integrity and the security of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the presence of malicious code within the 'respectable_frog_dumbs' package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. It continuously republishes these variants, leading to pollution of the npm registry and potential exploitation of developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages. The ramifications include loss of reputation for developers, potential security breaches, and a cluttered npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall respectable_frog_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 'respectable_frog_dumbs' package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, regularly audit your dependencies using tools like npm audit to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The 'respectable_frog_dumbs' package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters project files and pollutes the npm registry. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain the security and integrity of your projects.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to automate the generation and publication of derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, removes private flags, and can lead to the publication of compromised packages, affecting your project's integrity.
You should uninstall the package immediately using 'npm uninstall respectable_frog_dumbs' and check for any other affected packages.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file to alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
