Malicious Code Vulnerability in unknown_guppy_replicate_automation Package
Summary
MAL-2025-110150: Malicious code in unknown_guppy_replicate_automation (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The unknown_guppy_replicate_automation package is part of a broader ecosystem of npm packages that have been associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package, like others in this category, is designed to automate the generation and publication of derivative packages. Its primary functionality is to inflate developer reputation scores through the creation of numerous packages with randomized names, which can lead to pollution of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the unknown_guppy_replicate_automation package stems from its malicious payload, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags and alters version numbers. It generates random package names, often themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of the npm registry but also poses risks to developers who may unknowingly use these tainted packages, potentially leading to security breaches in their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall unknown_guppy_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 avoid using the unknown_guppy_replicate_automation package and any other packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. Regularly audit your package.json and package-lock.json files to identify and remove any suspicious packages.
Conclusion
The unknown_guppy_replicate_automation package poses a significant risk due to its malicious behavior, which can compromise the integrity of your applications. It is crucial to remove this package and any associated dependencies from your projects. Regular audits and the use of monitoring tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your software.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that is part of a campaign to inflate developer reputation scores by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages.
The malicious code can compromise your application's integrity by introducing unwanted changes and potentially harmful packages into your project.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. Visit Vulert Scanner to check your application without any signup.
You should uninstall the package immediately and review your dependencies for any other potentially harmful packages.
Yes, tools like Vulert can help you monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities and provide alerts in real-time.
