Malicious Code Injection in stale_puma_scarlet-98 Package
Summary
MAL-2025-109067: Malicious code in stale_puma_scarlet-98 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The stale_puma_scarlet-98 package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages, often with randomized names, to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. Its functionality is compromised by malicious scripts that manipulate package metadata.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the stale_puma_scarlet-98 package stems from the presence of malicious code that modifies the package.json file. This code removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of these variants. This behavior not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages, potentially leading to security breaches in their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall stale_puma_scarlet-98If 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 stale_puma_scarlet-98 package and instead utilize alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can monitor your project for any unexpected changes in the package.json file.
Conclusion
The stale_puma_scarlet-98 package contains malicious code that compromises its integrity and poses significant risks to developers. Immediate action is required to uninstall this package and prevent further exploitation. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your software projects.
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FAQ
The stale_puma_scarlet-98 package is an npm package linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to automate the generation and publication of derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially exposing your project to security risks and polluting the npm registry with compromised packages.
If you have installed the stale_puma_scarlet-98 package, you should uninstall it immediately using the command npm uninstall stale_puma_scarlet-98.
Regularly update your dependencies, use tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities, and review package metadata before installation.
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