Malicious Code Injection in wulan-44: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-170570: Malicious code in wulan-44 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package wulan-44 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 scripts that compromise its integrity and the security of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in wulan-44 originates from its malicious code that modifies the package.json file by removing private flags and changing version numbers. It generates random package names, primarily themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants to pollute the npm registry. This behavior not only affects the integrity of the npm ecosystem but can also lead to a loss of trust among developers and users relying on npm packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall wulan-44If it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary measure, you can avoid using the wulan-44 package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can use the following command to uninstall the package: npm uninstall wulan-44.
Conclusion
The wulan-44 package poses a significant threat due to its malicious code that compromises the integrity of the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their dependencies for vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in maintaining the security of your applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for wulan-44 →
FAQ
The wulan-44 package contains malicious code that modifies package.json files and floods the npm registry with derivative packages.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. Visit Vulert Scanner to check your application without needing to sign up.
You should uninstall the wulan-44 package immediately and look for alternative packages that do not pose security risks.
While specific alternatives depend on your use case, consider searching the npm registry for similar packages that do not have a history of malicious behavior.
Regularly audit your dependencies using tools like Vulert, and stay updated with security advisories related to the packages you use.
