Malicious Code Vulnerability in expensive_mite_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-102371: Malicious code in expensive_mite_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The expensive_mite_0xrequest package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate various functionalities related to token rewards but has been compromised to include malicious scripts. These scripts are intended to manipulate the npm registry by creating and publishing derivative packages with altered metadata, thereby inflating developer reputation scores.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the presence of malicious code within the expensive_mite_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 origin of this issue is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with such malicious packages. The ramifications include potential pollution of the npm registry, unauthorized access to sensitive data, and damage to developer reputations.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall expensive_mite_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 prevent the installation of the affected package by using npm's package-lock.json to lock your dependencies. This will ensure that the malicious package is not included in your project until a fix is available.
Conclusion
The expensive_mite_0xrequest package contains a significant vulnerability due to the presence of malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor your project for any vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert to ensure ongoing security.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to facilitate token rewards but has been compromised.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized modifications in your package.json file, potentially compromising your project's integrity and reputation.
You should uninstall the package immediately and review your project for any potential impacts caused by its presence.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. You can check your application for vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground without any signup.
If your application relies on the expensive_mite_0xrequest package, you may need to find an alternative solution or package to maintain its functionality.
