Malicious Code Injection in variable_hummingbird_dumbs Package
Summary
MAL-2025-110338: Malicious code in variable_hummingbird_dumbs (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The variable_hummingbird_dumbs package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages, which are often created to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. The package's functionality includes modifying package.json files and generating random package names, which can lead to significant pollution in the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the variable_hummingbird_dumbs package stems from its malicious code that alters the package.json file to remove private flags and changes version numbers. This code also generates random package names, contributing to the proliferation of low-quality packages in the npm registry. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to a campaign that aims to exploit npm's publishing mechanisms, potentially leading to security risks for developers who inadvertently use these packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall variable_hummingbird_dumbsIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a workaround, you can avoid using the variable_hummingbird_dumbs package and monitor your dependencies for any malicious packages. You can also use tools like Vulert to scan your package-lock.json file for vulnerabilities. For example, you can check your application with Vulert's playground at https://vulert.com/scanner without any signup.
Conclusion
The variable_hummingbird_dumbs package presents a significant vulnerability due to its malicious code that alters package.json files and generates random package names. It is crucial to remove this package from your project and monitor for any similar vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to automate the publication of derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the modification of your package.json file and the introduction of low-quality packages into your project, potentially compromising security.
You should remove the variable_hummingbird_dumbs package from your project immediately to mitigate any risks.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access.
Yes, you can use Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner to check your application for vulnerabilities without signing up.
