Malicious Code Injection in weak_swallow_dumbs Package
Summary
MAL-2025-110766: Malicious code in weak_swallow_dumbs (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The weak_swallow_dumbs package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. It is designed to facilitate the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages. However, this package has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises its integrity and the security of applications that depend on it.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from a malicious payload embedded within the weak_swallow_dumbs package. This payload modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names, which are often Indonesian-themed. The malicious code continuously republishes these variants, leading to pollution of the npm registry and potential exploitation of developer reputation scores. The ramifications include unauthorized access to sensitive data, potential data breaches, and a compromised development environment.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall weak_swallow_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 remove the weak_swallow_dumbs package from your project by executing the following command: npm uninstall weak_swallow_dumbs. This will prevent any malicious code from executing while you seek a secure alternative.
Conclusion
The weak_swallow_dumbs package contains a serious vulnerability due to embedded malicious code that can compromise your application. It is crucial to take immediate action by updating or removing the package to protect your development environment and data integrity.
See every vulnerability recorded for weak_swallow_dumbs →
FAQ
The weak_swallow_dumbs package is an npm package that was part of a token reward campaign, designed to automatically generate and publish derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially leading to unauthorized access and data breaches, as well as polluting the npm registry.
You should immediately update or uninstall the weak_swallow_dumbs package to mitigate the risk of exploitation.
Yes, you can use Vulert to monitor your project for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time by analyzing your package-lock.json file.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
