Malicious Code Injection in tealove-boy38 Package: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-168145: Malicious code in tealove-boy38 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The tealove-boy38 package is part of a broader initiative associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with numerous packages. This package is designed to manipulate npm's ecosystem by generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. Its primary function is to inflate developer reputation scores in exchange for tea protocol token rewards, making it a target for malicious exploitation.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the tealove-boy38 package stems from its malicious code that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags and alters version numbers. It generates random package names, often themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants to pollute the npm registry. This behavior can lead to a compromised development environment, where developers unknowingly install malicious packages, potentially exposing their applications to further vulnerabilities and security risks.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall tealove-boy38If it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, avoid using the tealove-boy38 package and monitor your project for any unauthorized changes to your package.json file. Regularly audit your npm packages using 'npm audit' to identify and address vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The tealove-boy38 package poses a significant risk to developers using npm due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the registry with harmful derivatives. It is essential to remove this package and monitor your dependencies to maintain a secure development environment.
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FAQ
Tealove-boy38 is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which aims to inflate developer reputation scores.
The vulnerability allows malicious code to modify your package.json file, potentially leading to the installation of harmful packages and compromising your project's security.
You should immediately uninstall the package using 'npm uninstall tealove-boy38' and audit your project for any other vulnerabilities.
Yes, you can use tools like Vulert, which monitors and alerts you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software without requiring code access.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
