Malicious Code Injection in amused_marten_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-99406: Malicious code in amused_marten_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The 'amused_marten_0xrequest' package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate token rewards through the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages. It aims to inflate developer reputation scores by creating numerous variants of packages with randomized names. However, it has been compromised, leading to significant security risks.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious code embedded within the 'amused_marten_0xrequest' package. It modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, which are then continuously republished to pollute the npm registry. This behavior can lead to unauthorized access, reputation damage for developers, and potential exploitation of users who install these malicious packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall amused_marten_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 'amused_marten_0xrequest' package and consider alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can monitor your project's dependencies using tools like Vulert, which can alert you to vulnerabilities in real-time.
Conclusion
The 'amused_marten_0xrequest' package has been identified as containing malicious code that poses significant risks to developers and users. It is crucial to remove this package from your projects and monitor for any vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert. Staying informed and proactive can help mitigate potential threats.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized modifications in your package.json file and may expose your project to further security risks.
You should uninstall the package immediately and monitor your project for any unusual behavior.
Yes, tools like Vulert can help monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
