Malicious Code Injection in xenophobic_moose_replicate_automation Package
Summary
MAL-2025-111118: Malicious code in xenophobic_moose_replicate_automation (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The xenophobic_moose_replicate_automation package is part of a broader campaign associated with the tea.xyz token reward system. This package is designed to automate certain processes within the npm ecosystem, but it has been compromised to include malicious scripts that manipulate package metadata. The vulnerability stems from its ability to generate and publish derivative packages, which can lead to reputation inflation and registry pollution.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the xenophobic_moose_replicate_automation package originates from its inclusion in a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. These packages contain scripts that modify the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. This behavior can lead to significant security risks, including the potential for developers to unknowingly use compromised packages, which can affect the integrity of their applications and the npm ecosystem as a whole.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall xenophobic_moose_replicate_automationIf 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 xenophobic_moose_replicate_automation package and instead seek alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, regularly audit your project's dependencies using tools like npm audit to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The xenophobic_moose_replicate_automation package has been identified as containing malicious code that can compromise the integrity of applications using it. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain a secure development environment.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that automates certain processes but has been compromised to include malicious scripts.
It can lead to the use of compromised packages, affecting the integrity and security of your application.
Remove the package immediately and check for any updates or patches that may be available.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file for vulnerabilities in real-time.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities without any signup.
