Malicious Code Exploit in rich_trout-apptea Package: npm Vulnerability Overview
Summary
MAL-2025-108058: Malicious code in rich_trout-apptea (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The rich_trout-apptea package is part of the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm ecosystem with malicious packages. These packages are designed to manipulate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages. The functionality of rich_trout-apptea is compromised due to its inclusion in this malicious campaign, making it a significant risk for developers using npm.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the rich_trout-apptea package stems from its malicious code that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags and changes version numbers. It generates random package names, often themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants to pollute the npm registry. This behavior not only affects the integrity of the npm ecosystem but also poses risks to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall rich_trout-appteaIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, avoid using the rich_trout-apptea package and consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can monitor your project for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert, which analyzes your package-lock.json file to alert you of any open-source vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The rich_trout-apptea package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry with harmful variants. It is crucial for developers to remove this package, monitor their projects for vulnerabilities, and stay informed about potential threats in the open-source ecosystem.
See every vulnerability recorded for rich_trout-apptea →
FAQ
The rich_trout-apptea package is part of a malicious campaign that floods npm with packages designed to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing.
This vulnerability can compromise the integrity of your project by introducing malicious code that modifies essential files and republishing harmful variants to the npm registry.
If you have installed the rich_trout-apptea package, you should uninstall it immediately using 'npm uninstall rich_trout-apptea' and check for any alternative packages.
You can use Vulert to monitor your project for open-source vulnerabilities by analyzing your package-lock.json file. This tool provides real-time alerts without requiring code access or installation.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
