Malicious Code Injection in chosen_beetle_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-100389: Malicious code in chosen_beetle_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The chosen_beetle_0xrequest package is part of the npm ecosystem, primarily used for various JavaScript applications. It has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that aims to exploit npm's package publishing system. This package, like others in the campaign, is designed to inflate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages with randomized names.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious intent behind the chosen_beetle_0xrequest package, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially compromising the integrity of applications that depend on these packages. The malicious payload can affect the security and reliability of software relying on this package, making it critical for developers to address this issue promptly.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall chosen_beetle_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 installation of the chosen_beetle_0xrequest package by using npm's package-lock.json file to monitor dependencies. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to check for vulnerabilities in your application. You can access the Vulert playground at https://vulert.com/scanner to see if your application is affected without needing to sign up.
Conclusion
The chosen_beetle_0xrequest package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and repopulates the npm registry with compromised packages. Developers should take immediate action to remove this package and utilize tools like Vulert for ongoing monitoring of vulnerabilities in their applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for chosen_beetle_0xrequest →
FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at manipulating the npm registry.
The vulnerability can lead to the installation of malicious code, compromising the security and integrity of your application.
You should remove the chosen_beetle_0xrequest package from your project and monitor for any updates or patches.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file for vulnerabilities in real-time.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities in your application without needing to sign up.
