Malicious Code Injection in special_marlin-apptea Package
Summary
MAL-2025-108985: Malicious code in special_marlin-apptea (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The special_marlin-apptea package is part of the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm ecosystem with various packages. These packages often contain scripts designed to automatically publish derivative versions with altered names and metadata, aiming to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. This behavior raises significant concerns regarding the integrity and security of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the special_marlin-apptea package stems from its malicious code, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, making it difficult for developers to find legitimate packages and potentially exposing them to further malicious activities. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the broader tea.xyz token reward campaign, which employs these tactics to manipulate the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall special_marlin-appteaIf 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 monitor your project's dependencies using tools like Vulert. Vulert allows you to check for vulnerabilities in your package-lock.json file without requiring installation. You can use the Vulert playground at https://vulert.com/scanner to see if your application is affected by this vulnerability.
Conclusion
The special_marlin-apptea package contains malicious code that poses a significant threat to the integrity of the npm ecosystem. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their dependencies for vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in maintaining the security of your applications.
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FAQ
The special_marlin-apptea package is part of a campaign that floods the npm registry with packages designed to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially leading to the pollution of the npm registry and making it harder to find legitimate packages.
You should uninstall the special_marlin-apptea package immediately and monitor your dependencies for any further vulnerabilities.
Yes, you can use Vulert to monitor your package-lock.json file for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
