Malicious Code Injection in deep_cicada_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-101255: Malicious code in deep_cicada_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The deep_cicada_0xrequest package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate token rewards through various scripts that automate the generation and publication of derivative packages. However, it has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises its integrity and the security of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the deep_cicada_0xrequest package stems from its malicious payload, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior is intended to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards, leading to pollution of the npm registry with potentially harmful packages. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the broader tea.xyz token reward campaign, which employs such tactics to manipulate the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall deep_cicada_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 avoid using the deep_cicada_0xrequest package and any other packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign until a secure version is released. Additionally, ensure that your package.json file does not include any references to this package.
Conclusion
The deep_cicada_0xrequest package has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises the npm ecosystem. It is crucial to remove this package from your projects and monitor for updates. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in identifying and mitigating such vulnerabilities in the future.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to automate the generation and publication of derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and may compromise the integrity of your application by introducing malicious code.
You can use the Vulert platform to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Visit Vulert Scanner to check your application without any signup.
You should uninstall the deep_cicada_0xrequest package immediately and monitor for any updates or patches that may be released.
Regularly audit your dependencies and use tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in real-time.
