Malicious Code Injection in 'useful_turtle_requirement' Package
Summary
MAL-2025-97209: Malicious code in useful_turtle_requirement (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The 'useful_turtle_requirement' package is part of the npm ecosystem, often utilized in JavaScript applications for various functionalities. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with harmful packages. This package, like others in the campaign, is designed to manipulate developer reputation scores through automated publishing of derivative packages.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the malicious code embedded within the 'useful_turtle_requirement' 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 variants. This behavior not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised 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 useful_turtle_requirementIf 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 'useful_turtle_requirement' package from your project by executing: 'npm uninstall useful_turtle_requirement'. This will prevent any malicious code from executing until a secure version is available.
Conclusion
The 'useful_turtle_requirement' package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate npm registry data. It is crucial for developers to take immediate action by uninstalling the package and monitoring their projects for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert.
See every vulnerability recorded for useful_turtle_requirement →
FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at manipulating developer reputation scores.
The malicious code can alter your package.json file, remove private flags, and publish harmful variants, leading to potential security vulnerabilities.
You should uninstall the package immediately and check for any updates or patches that may address the vulnerability.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities using just your package-lock.json file.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without requiring any signup.
