Malicious Code Injection in classical_reindeer_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-100581: Malicious code in classical_reindeer_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The classical_reindeer_0xrequest package is part of a series of npm packages that emerged during the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to automate the publication of derivative packages, often with randomized names, to inflate developer reputation scores. The malicious nature of this package lies in its ability to manipulate the package.json file, which is critical for npm package management.
Vulnerability Detail
This vulnerability originates from the malicious intent behind the classical_reindeer_0xrequest package, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. The payload continuously republishes these variants, leading to pollution of the npm registry. This can result in developers inadvertently using compromised packages, which may lead to security breaches and loss of trust in the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall classical_reindeer_0xrequest
If it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a workaround, you can remove the package from your project by executing the following command in your terminal: npm uninstall classical_reindeer_0xrequest. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your package-lock.json file for vulnerabilities in real-time.
Conclusion
The classical_reindeer_0xrequest package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that alters package configurations and republish behaviors. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity of their projects.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to automate the publication of derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code into your project, compromising its security and integrity.
You should uninstall the classical_reindeer_0xrequest package immediately and monitor your project for any other vulnerabilities.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check your application for vulnerabilities without any signup.
Vulert monitors your package-lock.json file for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time, alerting you to potential security issues in your software.