Malicious Code Injection in rolling_squid-appteadev Package
Summary
MAL-2025-108189: Malicious code in rolling_squid-appteadev (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The rolling_squid-appteadev package is part of the npm ecosystem, primarily used for various development tasks. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that exploits npm's package management system. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward scheme, which aims to inflate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the presence of malicious code within the rolling_squid-appteadev package. This code is designed to modify the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. The malicious payload continuously republishes these variants to the npm registry, leading to pollution of the registry and potential security risks for developers who unknowingly use these packages. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to a broader campaign that has flooded npm with similar malicious packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall rolling_squid-appteadevIf 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 rolling_squid-appteadev package from your project by executing: npm uninstall rolling_squid-appteadev. This will prevent the malicious code from executing until a secure version is available.
Conclusion
The rolling_squid-appteadev package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code, which alters project files and repopulates the npm registry with harmful variants. It is crucial to take immediate action by updating or removing the package and utilizing tools like Vulert for ongoing monitoring.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file and can lead to the publication of unwanted packages, potentially compromising your project's integrity.
You should uninstall the package immediately and check for any updates or patches that may be available.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just your package-lock.json file.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without requiring any signup.
