Malicious Code Injection in sad_parakeet-appteadev: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-108325: Malicious code in sad_parakeet-appteadev (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The package sad_parakeet-appteadev is part of the npm ecosystem, primarily used for JavaScript development. It is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with malicious packages. This package, like others in the campaign, is designed to manipulate npm's publishing system for nefarious purposes.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in sad_parakeet-appteadev stems from its malicious code that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior is intended to inflate developer reputation scores and pollute the npm registry with derivative packages. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which exploits npm's publishing capabilities to distribute harmful scripts.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall sad_parakeet-appteadev
If it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can avoid using the sad_parakeet-appteadev package and monitor your project for any dependencies that might indirectly include it. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The sad_parakeet-appteadev package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code designed to exploit the npm registry. Users are advised to uninstall this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for sad_parakeet-appteadev →
FAQ
sad_parakeet-appteadev is an npm package associated with a malicious campaign that aims to exploit the npm registry.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially leading to security risks and pollution of the npm registry.
You should uninstall the sad_parakeet-appteadev package immediately and monitor your project for any related vulnerabilities.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without needing to sign up.
Vulert is a tool that monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just the package-lock.json file.