Malicious Code Injection in dreadful_cat_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-101766: Malicious code in dreadful_cat_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The dreadful_cat_0xrequest package is part of the npm ecosystem, typically used for various JavaScript functionalities. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign associated with the tea.xyz token reward initiative. This package is designed to manipulate npm's publishing system, leading to potential security risks for developers and users relying on it.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the package's malicious code, 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 through the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages. The continuous republishing of these variants can lead to pollution of the npm registry, making it difficult for developers to find legitimate packages and potentially introducing security risks into their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall dreadful_cat_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 dreadful_cat_0xrequest package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can monitor your project for any unintended dependencies that may include this package.
Conclusion
The dreadful_cat_0xrequest package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate npm's publishing system. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity and security of their applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for dreadful_cat_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 introduction of malicious code into your application, potentially compromising its security and integrity.
You should uninstall the dreadful_cat_0xrequest package immediately and check your project for any dependencies that may have been affected.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just your package-lock.json file. You can check your application for vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground without any signup.
Regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert for monitoring, and stay informed about known vulnerabilities in the packages you use.
