Malicious Code Injection in varied_crab-notthedevs Package
Summary
MAL-2025-110344: Malicious code in varied_crab-notthedevs (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The varied_crab-notthedevs package is part of a broader ecosystem of npm packages that have been associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to automate the generation and publication of derivative packages, often with randomized names, to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. The malicious nature of this package lies in its ability to modify critical files and continuously republish variants, thereby polluting the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the varied_crab-notthedevs package originates from its malicious code, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags and alters version numbers. This allows the package to generate random names, predominantly themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republish itself and its variants. The ramifications include potential security risks for developers who unknowingly use this package, as it can lead to reputation damage and the proliferation of unwanted packages in the npm registry.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall varied_crab-notthedevsIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary measure, you can avoid using the varied_crab-notthedevs package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can monitor your project dependencies using tools like Vulert, which alerts you to open-source vulnerabilities in real-time.
Conclusion
The varied_crab-notthedevs package contains malicious code that poses significant risks to developers and the integrity of the npm registry. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain a secure development environment.
See every vulnerability recorded for varied_crab-notthedevs →
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 proliferation of malicious packages in your project, potentially damaging your reputation and introducing security risks.
You should uninstall the varied_crab-notthedevs package immediately and check your package-lock.json for any references to it.
Yes, tools like Vulert can help monitor your project for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities in your application without any signup.
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Habit tracker with a companion that grows with you
Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
