Malicious Code Injection in wulan-3 Package: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-170554: Malicious code in wulan-3 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The wulan-3 package is part of the npm ecosystem, primarily used for JavaScript development. It is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with various packages. These packages often contain scripts designed to manipulate package metadata and inflate developer reputation scores, making them a target for malicious activities.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the wulan-3 package stems from its malicious code that modifies the package.json file. It removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of these variants. This behavior not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly install these compromised packages, potentially leading to security breaches in their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall wulan-3If it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, users should avoid using the wulan-3 package until a secure version is released. Additionally, consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The wulan-3 package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to stay informed about such vulnerabilities and take immediate action to secure their applications by updating or removing affected packages.
See every vulnerability recorded for wulan-3 →
FAQ
The wulan-3 package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been linked to malicious activities in the npm registry.
The vulnerability can lead to the installation of compromised packages that modify your application's metadata and potentially introduce security risks.
If you have installed wulan-3, it is crucial to remove it from your project and monitor for any updates regarding a patched version.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors and alerts you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities 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 this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
