Malicious Code Injection in vast_termite_replicate_automation Package
Summary
MAL-2025-110375: Malicious code in vast_termite_replicate_automation (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The vast_termite_replicate_automation package is part of a broader ecosystem within the npm registry, often associated with token reward campaigns. It is designed to automate certain tasks related to package management. However, this package has been identified as containing malicious scripts that compromise its integrity and the security of applications relying on it.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the package being part of a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. It includes scripts that modify the package.json file to remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names, which can lead to reputation inflation and registry pollution. This can result in security risks for developers and users, as it undermines the trustworthiness of the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall vast_termite_replicate_automationIf 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_termite_replicate_automation package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can monitor your package-lock.json file for any changes that may indicate the presence of malicious packages.
Conclusion
The vast_termite_replicate_automation package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that alters package management files and inflates developer reputation scores. It is crucial to remove this package from your projects and monitor for any similar vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert.
See every vulnerability recorded for vast_termite_replicate_automation →
FAQ
It is an npm package that is part of a token reward campaign, designed to automate certain tasks but has been identified as malicious.
The vulnerability can lead to security risks, including the potential for unauthorized access and manipulation of your application's dependencies.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. You can check your application using the Vulert playground without any signup.
You should uninstall the vast_termite_replicate_automation package immediately and check for any dependencies that may be affected.
Yes, consider looking for other npm packages that provide similar functionalities without the associated risks.
