Malicious Code Injection in willing_vole_dumbs Package
Summary
MAL-2025-110940: Malicious code in willing_vole_dumbs (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The willing_vole_dumbs 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. It aims to inflate developer reputation scores for rewards in the tea protocol. However, its functionality has been compromised, making it vulnerable to exploitation.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the willing_vole_dumbs package stems from malicious code that modifies the package.json file. This code removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, which are then continuously republished to pollute the npm registry. Originating from a campaign to exploit npm, this vulnerability can lead to reputation damage for developers and clutter the registry with unwanted packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall willing_vole_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 prevent the installation of the willing_vole_dumbs package by using npm's package-lock.json file to lock your dependencies. Additionally, you can monitor your project for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert, which alerts you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities without requiring code access. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at https://vulert.com/scanner.
Conclusion
The willing_vole_dumbs package contains a significant vulnerability that can compromise your project's integrity. It is crucial to uninstall this package and monitor your dependencies for any potential threats. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help you stay informed about vulnerabilities in your open-source projects.
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FAQ
The willing_vole_dumbs package is an npm package associated with a token reward campaign that automates the generation of derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the modification of your package.json file, potentially damaging your project's integrity and reputation.
You should uninstall the willing_vole_dumbs package immediately and check for any dependencies that may be affected.
Yes, you can use Vulert to monitor your project for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just your package-lock.json file.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by vulnerabilities without needing to sign up.
