Malicious Code Vulnerability in tough_antelope_replicate_automation Package
Summary
MAL-2025-109780: Malicious code in tough_antelope_replicate_automation (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The tough_antelope_replicate_automation package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to automate tasks related to package publishing, but it has been compromised to include malicious scripts that manipulate package metadata and inflate developer reputation scores. Its functionality is intended to assist developers, but due to its malicious nature, it poses significant risks to users and the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from a malicious payload embedded within the tough_antelope_replicate_automation package. This payload modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names, which leads to the continuous republishing of these variants. The ramifications include pollution of the npm registry, potential security risks for developers using these packages, and a compromised reputation system within the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall tough_antelope_replicate_automationIf 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 remove the tough_antelope_replicate_automation package from your project by executing the command: npm uninstall tough_antelope_replicate_automation. This will help mitigate the risks associated with the malicious code until a patch is available.
Conclusion
The tough_antelope_replicate_automation package contains a serious vulnerability due to embedded malicious code that can compromise your project's integrity. It is crucial to take immediate action by updating or uninstalling the package and utilizing tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in your software.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with automating tasks related to package publishing, but it has been compromised to include malicious code.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, removes private flags, and generates random package names, which can lead to security vulnerabilities and pollution of the npm registry.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. Visit Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without requiring any signup.
As a temporary measure, you can uninstall the package using the command: npm uninstall tough_antelope_replicate_automation to mitigate risks.
Regularly monitor your dependencies using tools like Vulert and keep your packages updated to the latest versions to minimize exposure to vulnerabilities.
