Malicious Code Injection in burning_cougar_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-100192: Malicious code in burning_cougar_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The burning_cougar_0xrequest package is part of the npm ecosystem, often utilized in JavaScript applications. It is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood npm with malicious packages. This package, like others in the campaign, is designed to manipulate npm's registry by generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names, thereby inflating developer reputation scores.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability arises from malicious code embedded within the burning_cougar_0xrequest package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, which leads to the continuous republishing of these variants. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which aims to exploit npm's registry for fraudulent purposes. The ramifications include potential pollution of the npm registry and risks to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall burning_cougar_0xrequestIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
Currently, the best workaround is to avoid using the burning_cougar_0xrequest package altogether. If it is already in use, ensure to monitor your package-lock.json file for any unauthorized changes and remove the package immediately.
Conclusion
The burning_cougar_0xrequest package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to be vigilant and remove such packages from their projects to maintain the integrity of their applications.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, known for containing malicious code.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized modifications in your package.json file and may result in your application using compromised packages.
You can use the Vulert platform to monitor your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities. Visit Vulert Scanner to check your application without needing to sign up.
You should uninstall the burning_cougar_0xrequest package immediately and check for any dependencies that may be affected.
Regularly monitor your dependencies using tools like Vulert, which alerts you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities.
