Malicious Code Injection in vrvhxk-devapptea: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-110635: Malicious code in vrvhxk-devapptea (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
vrvhxk-devapptea is an npm package that is part of the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate token rewards through the generation and publication of derivative packages. However, it has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises its integrity and the security of the npm ecosystem.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in vrvhxk-devapptea originates from its malicious payload that modifies the package.json file. This payload removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, which leads to the continuous republishing of these variants. This behavior not only inflates developer reputation scores fraudulently but also pollutes the npm registry, making it difficult for developers to find legitimate packages. The malicious scripts included in this package are designed to automate the process of creating and publishing these harmful derivatives.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall vrvhxk-devappteaIf 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 remove the vrvhxk-devapptea package from your project by executing the command: 'npm uninstall vrvhxk-devapptea'. This will prevent any malicious code from executing while you seek a secure alternative package.
Conclusion
The vrvhxk-devapptea package poses a significant threat to the npm ecosystem due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and publishes harmful derivatives. It is crucial for developers to take immediate action by removing the package and monitoring their projects for vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
vrvhxk-devapptea 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, removes private flags, and generates random package names, which can lead to security vulnerabilities and pollution of the npm registry.
If you have installed vrvhxk-devapptea, it is recommended to uninstall it immediately and check for any updates or patches.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just your package-lock.json. You can also check your application against vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground without any signup.
To prevent similar vulnerabilities, regularly audit your dependencies, keep your packages updated, and utilize tools like Vulert for real-time monitoring.
