Malicious Code Vulnerability in curly_guan_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-101157: Malicious code in curly_guan_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The curly_guan_0xrequest package is part of a series of npm packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to automate the generation and publication of derivative packages, often with randomized names, to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. This behavior raises concerns about the integrity and reliability of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from malicious code embedded within the curly_guan_0xrequest package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of these variants. The result is a polluted npm registry, which can compromise the security and stability of applications relying on these packages. The malicious payload is part of a broader scheme to exploit the npm ecosystem for token rewards.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall curly_guan_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 avoid using the curly_guan_0xrequest package altogether. If it is a dependency of another package, consider removing that package or replacing it with a safer alternative.
Conclusion
The curly_guan_0xrequest package poses a significant security risk due to its embedded malicious code. It is crucial for developers to remove this package from their projects and monitor their dependencies for any vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your applications.
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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 malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially leading to security vulnerabilities and instability in your application.
You should uninstall the curly_guan_0xrequest package immediately to mitigate any risks associated with its malicious code.
Yes, consider using well-established and trusted packages that fulfill similar functionalities without the associated risks.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just package-lock.json. You can check your application for vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner without any signup.