Malicious Code Injection in Sensitive Bovid Dumbs Package
Summary
MAL-2025-108539: Malicious code in sensitive_bovid_dumbs (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The 'sensitive_bovid_dumbs' package is part of a broader campaign targeting npm packages, specifically designed to exploit the npm registry. It is associated with the tea.xyz token reward initiative, which incentivizes developers to publish numerous packages. This package is intended to automate the publication of derivative packages, often with randomized names, to enhance developer reputation scores for token rewards.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'sensitive_bovid_dumbs' arises from the presence of malicious code that modifies the package.json file. This code removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of variants that pollute the npm registry. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which employs autopublish scripts to inflate developer reputation scores. The ramifications include potential security risks for developers who inadvertently use these packages, as well as the degradation of the npm registry's integrity.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall sensitive_bovid_dumbsIf 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 'sensitive_bovid_dumbs' package and instead look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can monitor your package dependencies using tools like Vulert, which can alert you to vulnerabilities in real-time.
Conclusion
The 'sensitive_bovid_dumbs' package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry. Developers are advised to remove this package and monitor their dependencies for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert.
See every vulnerability recorded for sensitive_bovid_dumbs →
FAQ
It is an npm package associated with a token reward campaign that automates the publication of derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code into your project, compromising its security and integrity.
You should remove the package from your project and monitor for any updates or patches that may address the vulnerability.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file to alert you of any open-source vulnerabilities in real-time.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without needing to sign up.
