Malicious Code Detected in tasty_scorpion-apptea: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-109517: Malicious code in tasty_scorpion-apptea (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package tasty_scorpion-apptea is part of a broader campaign associated with the tea.xyz token reward initiative, which has inundated the npm ecosystem with potentially harmful packages. This package is designed to manipulate npm's publishing system, affecting developers' reputations and the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from malicious code embedded within the tasty_scorpion-apptea package. It is designed to automatically modify the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of these variants, which can pollute the npm registry and inflate developer reputation scores fraudulently. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to a campaign that leverages autopublish scripts to create derivative packages, posing significant risks to developers and users alike.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall tasty_scorpion-appteaIf 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 remove the package from your project by executing the following command: npm uninstall tasty_scorpion-apptea. This will prevent any malicious code from executing while you seek a secure alternative.
Conclusion
The tasty_scorpion-apptea package poses a significant threat due to its malicious code designed to manipulate npm's publishing system. It is essential to take immediate action by updating or removing the package to safeguard your project and maintain the integrity of the npm registry.
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FAQ
tasty_scorpion-apptea is an npm package that is part of a malicious campaign aimed at manipulating npm's publishing system.
This vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and may compromise the integrity of your project's dependencies.
If you have installed tasty_scorpion-apptea, it is recommended to uninstall it immediately and check for any other affected packages.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just the package-lock.json file.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
