Malicious Code Injection in vulnerable_turkey-appteadev: A Threat to npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-110641: Malicious code in vulnerable_turkey-appteadev (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The vulnerable_turkey-appteadev package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with malicious packages. The primary functionality of this package is to serve as a tool for developers, but its compromised nature poses significant risks to users and their projects.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from a malicious payload embedded within the vulnerable_turkey-appteadev package. This payload modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. It is designed to automatically publish derivative packages to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards, leading to pollution of the npm registry and potential security risks for users who inadvertently install these packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall vulnerable_turkey-appteadevIf 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 vulnerable_turkey-appteadev package until a secure version is released. Additionally, consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The vulnerable_turkey-appteadev package presents a significant security risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and publishes harmful derivatives. It is crucial for developers to remain vigilant, update their packages, and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in their applications.
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FAQ
The vulnerability involves malicious code that modifies package.json and publishes derivative packages, leading to potential security risks.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities using your package-lock.json. Visit Vulert Scanner to check your application without any signup.
If you have installed the vulnerable_turkey-appteadev package, it is recommended to update it immediately to a patched version or remove it from your project.
Yes, the malicious payload can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and may compromise the integrity of other packages that depend on it.
Regularly monitor your dependencies using tools like Vulert and keep your packages updated to the latest secure versions.
