Malicious Code Injection in short_walrus-appteadev Package
Summary
MAL-2025-108642: Malicious code in short_walrus-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 short_walrus-appteadev package is part of the npm ecosystem, typically used for various development tasks. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign associated with the tea.xyz token reward program. This package is designed to manipulate npm registry behavior by generating and publishing numerous derivative packages with altered metadata.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious code embedded within the short_walrus-appteadev package. This code is designed to modify the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and creating random package names. The result is a pollution of the npm registry, which can lead to reputational damage for developers and potential security risks for users who inadvertently install these malicious packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall short_walrus-appteadevIf 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 remove the short_walrus-appteadev package from your project by executing: npm uninstall short_walrus-appteadev. This will prevent any malicious code from executing until a safe version is available.
Conclusion
The short_walrus-appteadev package contains malicious code that poses significant risks to developers and users. It is crucial to take immediate action by updating or removing the package and utilizing tools like Vulert for ongoing monitoring of vulnerabilities.
See every vulnerability recorded for short_walrus-appteadev →
FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to manipulate the npm registry.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially leading to security vulnerabilities and reputational damage.
You can use Vulert, which monitors open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Visit Vulert Scanner to check your application without any signup.
You should uninstall the package immediately and check for any updates or patches from the package repository.
Regularly monitor your dependencies using tools like Vulert and keep your packages updated to the latest secure versions.
