Malicious Code Injection in secret_sturgeon-tool: npm Package Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-108489: Malicious code in secret_sturgeon-tool (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The secret_sturgeon-tool is an npm package that is part of the tea.xyz token reward campaign. It is designed to facilitate token rewards for developers by generating and publishing derivative packages. However, this package has been identified as malicious, containing scripts that manipulate package metadata and flood the npm registry with unwanted variants.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious code embedded in the secret_sturgeon-tool package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of these variants. This behavior not only pollutes the npm registry but can also inflate developer reputation scores fraudulently, posing a significant risk to the integrity of the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall secret_sturgeon-toolIf 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 remove the secret_sturgeon-tool package from your project by executing: npm uninstall secret_sturgeon-tool. This will prevent any malicious code from executing while you seek a secure alternative.
Conclusion
The secret_sturgeon-tool package poses a significant risk due to its embedded malicious code, which can compromise the integrity of your project and the npm registry. It is essential to take immediate action by updating or removing the package and utilizing monitoring tools like Vulert to stay informed about potential vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
The secret_sturgeon-tool is an npm package involved in the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been identified as containing malicious code.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, removes private flags, and floods the npm registry with unwanted package variants, potentially harming your project's integrity.
If you have installed the secret_sturgeon-tool package, you should uninstall it immediately and check for any updates or patches from the package maintainers.
You can use Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file to alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities. You can also check your application using the Vulert playground without any signup.
To prevent future vulnerabilities, regularly update your dependencies, use tools like Vulert for monitoring, and review package sources before installation.
