Critical Malicious Code Vulnerability in gitbook-plugin-datadotworld
Summary
MAL-2025-21478: Malicious code in gitbook-plugin-datadotworld (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The gitbook-plugin-datadotworld is an npm package designed to integrate data from the Datadotworld platform into GitBook documentation. It allows users to seamlessly embed datasets and visualizations, enhancing the documentation experience. However, this package has been found to contain malicious code, posing a significant risk to users who implement it in their projects.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in gitbook-plugin-datadotworld originates from the inclusion of malicious code within the package. This code can potentially compromise user data, lead to unauthorized access, or execute harmful operations on the host system. The malicious nature of this code makes it imperative for users to take immediate action to mitigate risks associated with its use.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall gitbook-plugin-datadotworldIf 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 gitbook-plugin-datadotworld package from their project until a safe version is released. You can uninstall the package using the following command: npm uninstall gitbook-plugin-datadotworld.
Conclusion
The discovery of malicious code in the gitbook-plugin-datadotworld package highlights the importance of vigilance when using open-source software. Users must take immediate action to update or remove the package to protect their applications from potential threats.
See every vulnerability recorded for gitbook-plugin-datadotworld →
FAQ
It is an npm package that allows users to integrate Datadotworld datasets into GitBook documentation.
The specific details of the malicious code have not been disclosed, but it poses risks such as unauthorized access and data compromise.
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.
Users are advised to check the package repository for any updates or patches that address the vulnerability.
As a temporary measure, consider uninstalling the package until a safe version is available.
