Malicious Code Injection in thick_haddock_dumbs Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-109602: Malicious code in thick_haddock_dumbs (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The thick_haddock_dumbs 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, which can inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. However, it has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises its integrity and the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the thick_haddock_dumbs package originates from its malicious payload, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of these variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially affecting other developers by inflating reputation scores through deceptive practices. The malicious scripts included in the package are designed to automate these processes, making it a significant threat to the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall thick_haddock_dumbs
If 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 prevent the installation of this package by using npm's package-lock.json to monitor dependencies. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to check for vulnerabilities in your project. You can access Vulert's playground at https://vulert.com/scanner to see if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
Conclusion
The thick_haddock_dumbs package poses a significant threat due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package from their projects and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities effectively.
See every vulnerability recorded for thick_haddock_dumbs →
FAQ
The thick_haddock_dumbs package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and may affect your project's integrity by introducing malicious code.
You should uninstall the thick_haddock_dumbs package immediately using 'npm uninstall thick_haddock_dumbs' 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 package-lock.json.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by vulnerabilities without any signup.