Malicious Code Injection in xerothermic_reindeer-excellentdev Package
Summary
MAL-2025-111128: Malicious code in xerothermic_reindeer-excellentdev (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The xerothermic_reindeer-excellentdev 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.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the package's design to include autopublish scripts that modify the package.json file. These modifications remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names, leading to pollution of the npm registry. The malicious payload can potentially harm developers by inflating reputation scores fraudulently and cluttering the package ecosystem with unwanted packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall xerothermic_reindeer-excellentdevIf 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 remove the xerothermic_reindeer-excellentdev package from your project by executing 'npm uninstall xerothermic_reindeer-excellentdev'. This will prevent any malicious code from executing while you assess the situation.
Conclusion
The xerothermic_reindeer-excellentdev package contains a significant vulnerability that can lead to malicious code execution and npm registry pollution. It is crucial to update or remove the package to safeguard your project. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help monitor and manage vulnerabilities effectively.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to automate the generation and publication of derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and may compromise the integrity of your project's dependencies.
You should uninstall the package immediately and check for any updates or patches that may address the vulnerability.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just the package-lock.json file.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without needing to sign up.
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Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
