Malicious Code Injection in thick_parrotfish-notthedev Package
Summary
MAL-2025-109603: Malicious code in thick_parrotfish-notthedev (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The thick_parrotfish-notthedev 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. However, it has been compromised to include malicious scripts that alter package metadata and publish harmful variants.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the inclusion of malicious code within the thick_parrotfish-notthedev package. This code modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, changing version numbers, and generating random package names. The malicious payload continuously republishes these variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially leading to security risks for developers who unknowingly use these packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall thick_parrotfish-notthedevIf 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 thick_parrotfish-notthedev package and instead look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, regularly audit your dependencies using tools like npm audit.
Conclusion
The thick_parrotfish-notthedev package contains malicious code that poses a significant risk to developers using it. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor your dependencies to maintain the security of your projects.
See every vulnerability recorded for thick_parrotfish-notthedev →
FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to automate the publication of derivative packages.
The malicious code can modify your package.json, remove private flags, and publish harmful variants, potentially compromising your project's security.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Visit Vulert Scanner to check your application without signup.
Immediately remove the thick_parrotfish-notthedev package from your project and consider using alternative packages.
Regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like npm audit, and monitor your packages with services like Vulert to stay informed about vulnerabilities.
