Malicious Code Injection in yawning_hawk-gooddev Package
Summary
MAL-2025-111254: Malicious code in yawning_hawk-gooddev (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The yawning_hawk-gooddev package is part of the npm ecosystem, primarily used for JavaScript development. It is often involved in various development tasks, but it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that aims to exploit npm's package publishing system. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward initiative, which has led to the proliferation of numerous derivative packages that can compromise the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious code embedded within the yawning_hawk-gooddev package. This code is designed to manipulate the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. The primary goal is to create and publish numerous variants of the package, thereby inflating developer reputation scores for token rewards. This behavior can lead to significant pollution of the npm registry, making it difficult for developers to find legitimate packages and potentially introducing security risks into their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall yawning_hawk-gooddevIf 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 yawning_hawk-gooddev package and any packages that depend on it. Additionally, consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The yawning_hawk-gooddev package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate npm's package publishing system. It is essential to remove this package from your projects and monitor for any dependencies that may be affected. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help you stay informed about vulnerabilities in your software.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to exploit the npm registry.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and may introduce security risks into your application.
You should uninstall the yawning_hawk-gooddev package immediately and check for any dependencies that may be affected.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities using just your package-lock.json file.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities without needing to sign up.
