Malicious Code Vulnerability in troubled_slug-appteadev Package
Summary
MAL-2025-109854: Malicious code in troubled_slug-appteadev (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The troubled_slug-appteadev package is part of the npm ecosystem and appears to be 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, its functionality has been compromised, leading to significant security concerns.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the presence of malicious code within the troubled_slug-appteadev package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of these variants. This behavior not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may inadvertently use these compromised packages, potentially leading to unauthorized access or data breaches.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall troubled_slug-appteadevIf 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 troubled_slug-appteadev package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The troubled_slug-appteadev package contains malicious code that poses a significant risk to developers and their projects. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor for similar vulnerabilities to ensure the security of your software.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that is part of a token reward campaign but has been compromised with malicious code.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file and can lead to the publication of unauthorized packages, potentially compromising your project's integrity.
You should uninstall the troubled_slug-appteadev package immediately using the command: npm uninstall troubled_slug-appteadev.
Yes, you can use Vulert to monitor and alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software by analyzing your package-lock.json file.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
