Critical Malicious Code Vulnerability in sort-by-distance Package
Summary
MAL-2025-191011: Malicious code in sort-by-distance (npm). Affects sort-by-distance versions 2.0.1. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The sort-by-distance package is a utility in the npm ecosystem that is designed to sort a list of items based on their distance from a specified point. It is commonly used in applications that require geographical calculations, such as mapping and location-based services. However, recent findings have revealed that this package contains malicious code, posing significant security risks to systems that utilize it.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the presence of embedded malicious code within the sort-by-distance package, specifically version 2.0.1. This code can compromise any computer that has the package installed, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive information such as secrets and keys. The malicious nature of the code has been confirmed by security sources, indicating that systems running this package should be considered fully compromised. The implications of this vulnerability are severe, as it may lead to data breaches and unauthorized control over affected systems.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall sort-by-distanceIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a workaround, if immediate removal of the package is not feasible, consider isolating the application that uses sort-by-distance from sensitive data and systems until the package can be safely removed.
Conclusion
The sort-by-distance package has been identified as containing malicious code, posing a significant security threat to systems that utilize it. Immediate action is required to remove the package and secure any sensitive information. Users are encouraged to utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in their applications.
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FAQ
The sort-by-distance package is an npm utility that sorts items based on their distance from a specified point, commonly used in geographical applications.
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Immediately remove the sort-by-distance package and rotate any secrets or keys stored on the affected system.
Currently, there is no patched version available for the sort-by-distance package. It is crucial to remove the package entirely.
Failing to address this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information, potential data breaches, and complete control of the affected system by malicious actors.
