Critical Malicious Code Vulnerability in app_profiler Package
Summary
MAL-2025-14667: Malicious code in app_profiler (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The app_profiler package is an npm library designed for profiling applications, providing insights into performance metrics and resource usage. It is widely used in various Node.js applications for monitoring and optimizing performance. However, the package has been found to contain malicious code, posing significant security risks to users and their applications.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the app_profiler package originates from the inclusion of malicious code that can compromise the security of applications utilizing this library. This malicious code could potentially lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, or other harmful actions within the affected systems. The vulnerability affects all versions starting from 0, making it critical for users to take immediate action to mitigate risks.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall app_profiler
If it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, users can remove the app_profiler package from their project until a secure version is released. This can be done using the command: 'npm uninstall app_profiler'.
Conclusion
The app_profiler package has been identified with a critical vulnerability due to the presence of malicious code. Users are urged to take immediate action by updating or removing the package to safeguard their applications. Regular monitoring for updates and utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain security in open-source dependencies.
See every vulnerability recorded for app_profiler →
FAQ
The app_profiler package is used for profiling applications to monitor performance metrics and resource usage.
The malicious code can lead to unauthorized access and potential data breaches within applications using the package.
You can use Vulert to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Visit Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without requiring any signup.
As of now, there is no patched version available. Users should monitor the npm registry for updates.
If immediate updates are not possible, consider removing the package from your project as a temporary measure.