Malicious Code Injection in vast_tapir_dumbs: npm Package Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-110374: Malicious code in vast_tapir_dumbs (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The vast_tapir_dumbs package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that aims to exploit developers by flooding the npm registry with derivative packages. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing scripts, which can lead to significant pollution of the npm registry and compromise the integrity of the ecosystem.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the package being associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood npm with malicious packages. The malicious payload within vast_tapir_dumbs modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. This behavior not only compromises the affected package but also contributes to the degradation of the npm registry by continuously republishing variants, making it difficult for developers to trust the integrity of packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall vast_tapir_dumbsIf 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 vast_tapir_dumbs package and any packages that depend on it. Additionally, consider using a tool like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at https://vulert.com/scanner without any signup.
Conclusion
The vast_tapir_dumbs package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to be aware of such vulnerabilities and take immediate action to remove affected packages. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in monitoring and maintaining the security of your projects.
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FAQ
vast_tapir_dumbs is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, making it difficult to trust the integrity of packages and potentially exposing your project to further malicious code.
You should uninstall the vast_tapir_dumbs package immediately using the command npm uninstall vast_tapir_dumbs.
Yes, you can use tools like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities in real-time and ensure that you are alerted to any potential threats.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
