Malicious Code Injection in bewildered_worm_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-99962: Malicious code in bewildered_worm_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The 'bewildered_worm_0xrequest' package is part of a broader campaign associated with the tea.xyz token reward system, which has been known to flood the npm registry with malicious packages. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing scripts that generate derivative packages with randomized names. The presence of such malicious code poses significant risks to developers and the integrity of the npm ecosystem.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the 'bewildered_worm_0xrequest' package originates from its malicious payload, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags and alters version numbers. It generates random package names, often themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants to pollute the npm registry. This behavior not only compromises the security of the affected applications but also undermines the trustworthiness of the npm ecosystem as a whole.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall bewildered_worm_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, you can prevent the package from being executed in your application by removing it from your dependencies and ensuring that your project does not reference it in any way. Additionally, you can use tools like Vulert to monitor your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities in real-time.
Conclusion
The 'bewildered_worm_0xrequest' package presents a significant security risk due to its malicious code that alters package configurations and floods the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity of their applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for bewildered_worm_0xrequest →
FAQ
It is a malicious npm package associated with a token reward campaign that aims to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized modifications of your package.json file, potentially exposing your application to further security risks and compromising its integrity.
You should uninstall the package immediately using 'npm uninstall bewildered_worm_0xrequest' and check for any dependencies that may be affected.
You can use Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time, providing alerts without requiring code access or installation.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
Habilume
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Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
