Malicious Code Injection in ruling_harrier-appteadev Package
Summary
MAL-2025-108292: Malicious code in ruling_harrier-appteadev (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The ruling_harrier-appteadev 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. However, it has been compromised to include malicious scripts that manipulate package metadata, leading to potential security risks and reputation inflation for developers.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the ruling_harrier-appteadev package stems from malicious code that alters the package.json file. This code removes private flags, modifies version numbers, and generates random package names, which are then republished to the npm registry. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to a broader campaign that aims to exploit npm's publishing mechanisms, potentially leading to a polluted registry and increased risks for developers using these packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall ruling_harrier-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 avoid using the ruling_harrier-appteadev package altogether and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The ruling_harrier-appteadev package has been identified as containing malicious code that poses significant risks to developers and their projects. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor for any similar vulnerabilities in the future. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your software.
See every vulnerability recorded for ruling_harrier-appteadev →
FAQ
It is an npm package involved in the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed for automatic package generation and publication.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially exposing your project to security risks and affecting your npm reputation.
You should uninstall the package immediately and check for any alternative packages that do not have known vulnerabilities.
Yes, 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 using the Vulert playground without any signup.
Regularly audit your dependencies, keep them updated, and use tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in real-time.
