Malicious Code Injection in rotten_newt-apptea: A Threat to npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-108203: Malicious code in rotten_newt-apptea (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
rotten_newt-apptea is an npm package that is part of the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate the generation and publication 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 package's design to include autopublish scripts that modify the package.json file. These modifications remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of variants. This behavior not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages, potentially leading to security breaches and loss of trust in the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall rotten_newt-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, you can avoid using the rotten_newt-apptea package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Always verify the integrity of packages before installation.
Conclusion
The rotten_newt-apptea package poses a significant threat due to its malicious code that alters package configurations and pollutes the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity of their projects.
See every vulnerability recorded for rotten_newt-apptea →
FAQ
rotten_newt-apptea is an npm package involved in a token reward campaign that has been identified to contain malicious code.
The malicious code modifies your package.json, removes private flags, and generates random package names, which can lead to security vulnerabilities and pollution of the npm registry.
You should uninstall the rotten_newt-apptea package immediately using the command: npm uninstall rotten_newt-apptea.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just package-lock.json. You can check your application for vulnerabilities without signup at the Vulert playground.
Yes, look for reputable npm packages that provide similar functionality but have a verified track record of security.
