Malicious Code Vulnerability in aesthetic_chicken_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-99226: Malicious code in aesthetic_chicken_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Habilume
Habit tracker with a companion that grows with you
Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
Background
The aesthetic_chicken_0xrequest package is part of a series of npm packages that emerged during the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to manipulate npm's registry by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. This behavior is intended to inflate developer reputation scores in exchange for token rewards, making the package susceptible to malicious exploitation.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the package's design, which includes autopublish scripts that modify the package.json file. These modifications remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of variants. This behavior not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses a risk of unintentional exposure of sensitive data and potential exploitation by malicious actors.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall aesthetic_chicken_0xrequestIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can remove the aesthetic_chicken_0xrequest package from your project by executing the following command: npm uninstall aesthetic_chicken_0xrequest. This will prevent any malicious code from executing until a secure version is available.
Conclusion
The aesthetic_chicken_0xrequest package contains a serious vulnerability that can lead to malicious exploitation and pollution of the npm registry. It is crucial to update or remove the package to mitigate risks. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help monitor for such vulnerabilities in real-time.
See every vulnerability recorded for aesthetic_chicken_0xrequest →
FAQ
It is an npm package that is part of a campaign to inflate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and potential exposure of sensitive data, as well as the risk of executing malicious code.
You should check the npm registry for any patched versions of the aesthetic_chicken_0xrequest package and update accordingly.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities using just the package-lock.json file. You can also check your application using the Vulert playground without signup.
As a workaround, you can uninstall the package to prevent any potential malicious activity until a secure version is available.
Habilume
Habit tracker with a companion that grows with you
Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
