Malicious Code Detected in worthy_ermine-silentdev: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-111031: Malicious code in worthy_ermine-silentdev (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'worthy_ermine-silentdev' is part of a series of npm packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. This behavior poses a significant risk to the integrity of the npm registry and the security of applications relying on these packages.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious intent behind the 'worthy_ermine-silentdev' package, which contains scripts that modify the package.json file to remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names. This results in the continuous republishing of variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially compromising the security of applications that depend on these packages. The malicious payload can lead to unauthorized access and manipulation of the software environment.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall worthy_ermine-silentdevIf 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 'worthy_ermine-silentdev' package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can monitor your package-lock.json file for any unauthorized changes.
Conclusion
The 'worthy_ermine-silentdev' package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate npm package configurations. It is essential to remove this package and monitor your project for any unauthorized changes. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your applications.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to inflate developer reputation scores.
The malicious code can compromise your application's integrity by modifying package configurations and introducing unauthorized packages.
Immediately uninstall the package using 'npm uninstall worthy_ermine-silentdev' and check for any dependent packages.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities without needing to sign up.
