Malicious Code Injection in 'separate_manatee_dumbs' Package
Summary
MAL-2025-108554: Malicious code in separate_manatee_dumbs (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The 'separate_manatee_dumbs' package is part of a series of npm packages that emerged during the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to automate the generation and publication of derivative packages, often with randomized names, to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. The functionality of this package is compromised due to the presence of malicious scripts that manipulate package metadata.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious code embedded within the 'separate_manatee_dumbs' 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 variants. The ramifications include pollution of the npm registry, potential exploitation of developer reputation systems, and the risk of introducing further vulnerabilities into dependent projects.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall separate_manatee_dumbsIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary measure, you can prevent the installation of this malicious package by using npm's package-lock.json to monitor dependencies. Ensure that your package-lock.json does not include 'separate_manatee_dumbs'. You can also use the following command to uninstall the package if it is already installed: npm uninstall separate_manatee_dumbs.
Conclusion
The 'separate_manatee_dumbs' package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and can lead to further exploitation. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor your dependencies for any vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your open-source projects.
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FAQ
It is an npm package involved in the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to automate the creation of derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json, potentially leading to the pollution of the npm registry and exploitation of your project's reputation.
You should uninstall the package immediately and monitor your dependencies for any further malicious activity.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. You can check your application using the Vulert playground without any signup.
Regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert to monitor vulnerabilities, and keep your packages updated.
