Malicious Code Injection in salty_grouse-toolteadev Package
Summary
MAL-2025-108339: Malicious code in salty_grouse-toolteadev (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 salty_grouse-toolteadev package is part of the npm ecosystem, primarily used for development tools. It is designed to facilitate various development tasks but has been compromised by malicious actors. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has led to the proliferation of malicious packages on npm, aimed at inflating developer reputation scores.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the presence of malicious code within the salty_grouse-toolteadev 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, polluting the npm registry and potentially compromising the integrity of dependent projects. The origin of this issue is linked to a broader campaign that exploits npm's package publishing mechanisms.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall salty_grouse-toolteadevIf 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 salty_grouse-toolteadev package altogether and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, consider using npm audit to identify and address vulnerabilities in your project.
Conclusion
The salty_grouse-toolteadev package has been identified as containing malicious code that can compromise your project. It is essential to remove this package and monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help ensure your application remains secure.
See every vulnerability recorded for salty_grouse-toolteadev →
FAQ
It is an npm package used for development tools but has been compromised with malicious code.
The malicious code modifies your package.json, removes private flags, and publishes variants that can pollute the npm registry.
You should uninstall the package immediately and check for any alternative packages to use.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities in real-time.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities without any signup.
