Malicious Code Injection in wasteful_junglefowl-strongdev Package
Summary
MAL-2025-110662: Malicious code in wasteful_junglefowl-strongdev (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The wasteful_junglefowl-strongdev package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages, which can inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. However, it has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises its integrity and the security of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious payload embedded within the wasteful_junglefowl-strongdev package. This payload modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, which leads to the continuous republishing of variants. This behavior not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages, potentially leading to further exploitation.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall wasteful_junglefowl-strongdevIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary measure, avoid using the wasteful_junglefowl-strongdev package and monitor your dependencies for any similar malicious packages. You can also use tools like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities. To check if your application is affected, you can use the Vulert playground at https://vulert.com/scanner without any signup.
Conclusion
The wasteful_junglefowl-strongdev package has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises the integrity of the npm registry and poses significant risks to developers. Immediate action is required to remove this package and monitor for similar threats. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your projects.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to automate the generation of derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json, removes private flags, and continuously republishes variants, which can lead to security vulnerabilities in your project.
You should uninstall the package immediately using 'npm uninstall wasteful_junglefowl-strongdev' and monitor your project for any further vulnerabilities.
Regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities, and stay updated on security advisories related to the packages you use.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check your application for vulnerabilities without needing to sign up.
