Malicious Code Injection in unacceptable_anteater_dumbs Package
Summary
MAL-2025-110021: Malicious code in unacceptable_anteater_dumbs (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The unacceptable_anteater_dumbs package is part of a series of npm packages that emerged during the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to manipulate the npm registry by creating and publishing numerous derivative packages with randomized names. The primary function of this package, like others in the campaign, is to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards, making it a target for malicious activities.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the unacceptable_anteater_dumbs package stems 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 variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially compromising the integrity of other packages. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been identified as a source of numerous malicious packages flooding the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall unacceptable_anteater_dumbsIf 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 prevent the package from being used in your project by removing it from your package.json and ensuring that your package-lock.json does not include it. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The unacceptable_anteater_dumbs package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate the npm registry. It is crucial to remove this package from your project and monitor for any similar vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity of your software.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that is part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through the creation of numerous derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and may compromise the integrity of your project by introducing unwanted or malicious packages.
You should uninstall the unacceptable_anteater_dumbs package immediately and monitor your project for any other vulnerabilities.
Yes, you can use Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities in your application without requiring any signup.
Regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert for real-time monitoring, and stay informed about known vulnerabilities in the open-source ecosystem.
