Malicious Code Injection in small_moth-appteadev: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-108853: Malicious code in small_moth-appteadev (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The small_moth-appteadev package is part of the npm ecosystem and is designed for application development. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that exploits npm's publishing capabilities. This package, like others in the campaign, is used to inflate developer reputation scores through automated scripts that generate and publish derivative packages with random names.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the package's involvement in the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which floods the npm registry with malicious packages. These packages contain scripts that modify the package.json file to remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names. This behavior can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and potentially compromise the integrity of applications relying on these packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall small_moth-appteadevIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a workaround, you can temporarily avoid using the small_moth-appteadev package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The small_moth-appteadev package poses a significant risk due to its malicious behavior aimed at manipulating the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities to maintain application integrity.
See every vulnerability recorded for small_moth-appteadev →
FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and compromise the integrity of applications that depend on the affected package.
You should uninstall the small_moth-appteadev package immediately and check for any dependencies that may rely on it.
Currently, there is no patched version available. The best course of action is to remove the package.
You can use Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access or installation.
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Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
