Malicious Code Injection in variable_manatee-smiletea Package
Summary
MAL-2025-110340: Malicious code in variable_manatee-smiletea (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The variable_manatee-smiletea package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate the generation and publication of derivative packages, which can inflate developer reputation scores in exchange for token rewards. However, it has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises its integrity and security.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the presence of malicious code within the variable_manatee-smiletea 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 that pollute the npm registry. The origin of this issue is linked to the broader trend of malicious packages flooding the npm ecosystem, specifically targeting developers involved in the tea protocol token rewards.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall variable_manatee-smileteaIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can prevent the installation of this package by using npm's package-lock.json to monitor your dependencies. Ensure that you do not include variable_manatee-smiletea in your package.json or package-lock.json files.
Conclusion
The variable_manatee-smiletea package contains malicious code that poses a significant risk to developers and their projects. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for variable_manatee-smiletea →
FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially exposing your project to security risks and affecting its integrity.
You should uninstall the variable_manatee-smiletea package immediately using 'npm uninstall variable_manatee-smiletea'.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access or installation.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
