Malicious Code Injection in ruji-2 Package: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-165244: Malicious code in ruji-2 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The ruji-2 package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for managing JavaScript packages. This package is implicated in a malicious campaign associated with the tea.xyz token reward system. It is designed to inflate developer reputation scores by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names, which can lead to significant pollution of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the ruji-2 package stems from its inclusion in a malicious campaign that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of the npm registry but also poses risks to developers who may unknowingly install these malicious packages. The payload is designed to continuously republish variants, further exacerbating the issue.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall ruji-2If 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 ruji-2 package until a secure version is released. Additionally, consider using npm audit to identify and address vulnerabilities in your project's dependencies.
Conclusion
The ruji-2 package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that modifies package metadata and repopulates the npm registry with harmful variants. It is essential for developers to remain vigilant, update their dependencies, and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities.
See every vulnerability recorded for ruji-2 →
FAQ
The ruji-2 package is a JavaScript package in the npm ecosystem that has been linked to a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores.
The vulnerability can lead to the installation of malicious packages that modify your project's dependencies, potentially compromising security and functionality.
If you have installed ruji-2, it is recommended to remove it from your project and update to a patched version if available.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file to alert you in real-time about open-source vulnerabilities in your software.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
