Malicious Code Injection in total_aphid-apptea Package
Summary
MAL-2025-109773: Malicious code in total_aphid-apptea (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 total_aphid-apptea package is part of the tea.xyz token reward campaign that has recently infiltrated the npm ecosystem. This package is designed to facilitate token rewards for developers by generating and publishing derivative packages. However, it has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises its integrity and the security of applications relying on it.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the presence of malicious code within the total_aphid-apptea package. This code is designed to modify the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. The result is a proliferation of derivative packages that pollute the npm registry, potentially leading to reputation inflation for developers and security risks for users. The malicious payload can introduce untrusted code into applications, posing a significant threat to application security.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall total_aphid-appteaIf 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 workaround, you can avoid using the total_aphid-apptea package altogether. If it is already part of your project, consider replacing it with a trusted alternative that does not exhibit malicious behavior. Regularly review your dependencies for any unauthorized changes.
Conclusion
The total_aphid-apptea package contains malicious code that poses significant risks to applications using it. It is crucial to uninstall this package and monitor your dependencies for any unauthorized changes. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help you stay informed about vulnerabilities in your projects.
See every vulnerability recorded for total_aphid-apptea →
FAQ
The total_aphid-apptea package is part of a campaign that aims to reward developers with tokens by flooding the npm registry with derivative packages.
The malicious code can modify your package.json, introduce untrusted code, and lead to security vulnerabilities within your application.
You should uninstall the total_aphid-apptea package immediately and check your package-lock.json for any remaining references.
Yes, tools like Vulert can monitor your package-lock.json for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time 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.
