Malicious Code Injection in Costly Kiwi Requirement Package
Summary
MAL-2025-93831: Malicious code in costly_kiwi_requirement (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The 'costly_kiwi_requirement' package is part of the npm ecosystem, primarily used for managing dependencies in JavaScript applications. This package has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing scripts, which can lead to significant security risks for applications that depend on them.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious scripts embedded within the 'costly_kiwi_requirement' package. These scripts modify the package.json file to remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names, thereby polluting the npm registry. The ramifications include potential exposure of sensitive information, unauthorized access to systems, and the risk of dependency confusion attacks, where malicious packages are inadvertently used in place of legitimate ones.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall costly_kiwi_requirementIf 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 remove the 'costly_kiwi_requirement' package from your project by executing the command: 'npm uninstall costly_kiwi_requirement'. This will prevent the execution of any malicious scripts associated with the package until a fix is applied.
Conclusion
The 'costly_kiwi_requirement' package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate package management processes. It is crucial to take immediate action by updating or removing the package to safeguard your application from potential threats.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through automated publishing.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized modifications of your package.json file, potentially exposing sensitive information and allowing for dependency confusion attacks.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities using just your package-lock.json file.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without needing to sign up.
If an immediate update is not possible, consider removing the package as a temporary measure to mitigate risks.
