Malicious Code Injection in npm Package 'exciting_swan_0xrequest'
Summary
MAL-2025-102345: Malicious code in exciting_swan_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The 'exciting_swan_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 functionality, while intended for legitimate purposes, has been exploited to introduce malicious code.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'exciting_swan_0xrequest' stems from its inclusion in a malicious campaign that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of these variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially compromising the integrity of other packages. The malicious payload can affect developers by inflating reputation scores fraudulently and may lead to security risks if these packages are inadvertently used in projects.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall exciting_swan_0xrequestIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary measure, avoid using the 'exciting_swan_0xrequest' package and consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Regularly monitor your package dependencies for any updates or vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The 'exciting_swan_0xrequest' package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that modifies package metadata and repopulates the npm registry with harmful variants. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain the security of their projects.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that is part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through automated package publishing.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code into your project, potentially compromising security and integrity.
You should uninstall the package immediately and check for any dependencies that may rely on it.
Yes, tools like Vulert can monitor your package-lock.json file to alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without requiring any signup.
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Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
