Malicious Code Exploit in tealove-nice18 Package: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-168495: Malicious code in tealove-nice18 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The tealove-nice18 package is part of a broader campaign associated with the tea.xyz token reward initiative, which has infiltrated the npm ecosystem. This package is designed to facilitate the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages, often with randomized names, to manipulate developer reputation scores for token rewards. Its functionality is primarily centered around automating the publishing process, but this has led to significant security vulnerabilities.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the tealove-nice18 package stems from its malicious payload, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of the npm registry but also poses risks to developers who may unknowingly use these tainted packages. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which employs scripts to flood the npm registry with these malicious packages, thereby polluting the ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall tealove-nice18If it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary measure, users can avoid using the tealove-nice18 package and instead look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at https://vulert.com/scanner without any signup.
Conclusion
The tealove-nice18 package poses a significant threat to npm users due to its malicious code designed to manipulate the npm registry. Immediate action is required to remove this package and safeguard your projects. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in monitoring and preventing future vulnerabilities.
See every vulnerability recorded for tealove-nice18 →
FAQ
Tealove-nice18 is an npm package that is part of a malicious campaign aimed at manipulating developer reputation scores for token rewards.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code into your project, potentially compromising its security and integrity.
You should remove the tealove-nice18 package from your project immediately and monitor for any updates or patches.
Yes, regularly audit your dependencies and use tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in your open-source packages.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities in your application without needing to sign up.
