Malicious Code Injection in worrying_cheetah_dumbs Package
Summary
MAL-2025-111011: Malicious code in worrying_cheetah_dumbs (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The worrying_cheetah_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, 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 package's malicious payload, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially affecting other developers and applications relying on npm packages. The malicious scripts included (auto.js, autopublish.js, etc.) are designed to automate these harmful actions.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall worrying_cheetah_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 manually check your package.json file for any instances of worrying_cheetah_dumbs and remove them. Additionally, monitor your npm registry for any unauthorized packages that may have been published as a result of this vulnerability.
Conclusion
The worrying_cheetah_dumbs package has been identified as containing malicious code that poses a significant risk to developers and their applications. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor your projects for any potential vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help ensure your application remains secure.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The malicious code can lead to unauthorized changes in your package.json file, potentially compromising your application's integrity and security.
You should uninstall the worrying_cheetah_dumbs package immediately and check for any dependencies that may be affected.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just your package-lock.json file.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check your application for vulnerabilities without needing to sign up.
