Malicious Code Vulnerability in absolute_earwig_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-99043: Malicious code in absolute_earwig_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The absolute_earwig_0xrequest package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate the creation and publication of derivative packages, often with randomized names, to inflate developer reputation scores. Its functionality is compromised by a malicious payload that alters critical files within the package.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the package being part of a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. The malicious payload modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to potential pollution of the npm registry. This can result in security risks for developers who inadvertently use these compromised packages, as they may introduce vulnerabilities or unwanted behaviors into their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall absolute_earwig_0xrequestIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, avoid using the absolute_earwig_0xrequest package and consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The absolute_earwig_0xrequest package contains a significant vulnerability that can compromise the security of applications using it. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor your projects for any potential risks. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the integrity of your software by providing real-time alerts for vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to create and publish derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code into your application, potentially compromising its security and functionality.
You should uninstall the package immediately and monitor your application for any unusual behavior.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just package-lock.json.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without requiring any signup.
