Malicious Code Injection in sick_horse_dumbs Package: npm Vulnerability Overview
Summary
MAL-2025-108658: Malicious code in sick_horse_dumbs (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The sick_horse_dumbs package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with malicious packages. These packages often contain scripts designed to manipulate the npm registry and inflate developer reputation scores, posing significant risks to users and the integrity of the ecosystem.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the sick_horse_dumbs package originates from its design to include autopublish scripts that modify the package.json file. This modification removes 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 security risks for users who install these packages, and damage to the reputation of legitimate developers.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall sick_horse_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 sick_horse_dumbs package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can monitor your package-lock.json file for any changes that may indicate the presence of malicious packages.
Conclusion
The sick_horse_dumbs package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate the npm registry. Users are advised to remove the package and monitor their applications for vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your software.
See every vulnerability recorded for sick_horse_dumbs →
FAQ
The sick_horse_dumbs package is an npm package that is part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores through the creation of derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the installation of malicious code, which may compromise your application's security and integrity by polluting the npm registry.
If you have installed the sick_horse_dumbs package, it is crucial to remove it and check for any other affected packages in your project.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file for vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access or installation.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
