Malicious Code Vulnerability in explicit_grouse_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-102403: Malicious code in explicit_grouse_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The explicit_grouse_0xrequest package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate the generation and publication of derivative packages, often with randomized names, to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. However, it has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the explicit_grouse_0xrequest package, which includes malicious scripts that modify the package.json file. These scripts remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of variants that pollute the npm registry. This can result in significant ramifications, including the potential for developers to unknowingly install compromised packages, leading to security breaches and loss of trust in the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall explicit_grouse_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, avoid using the explicit_grouse_0xrequest package and consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can monitor your project for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert, which can alert you to open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at https://vulert.com/scanner without any signup.
Conclusion
The explicit_grouse_0xrequest package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity of their applications.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the installation of compromised packages, resulting in security breaches and loss of trust in the npm ecosystem.
You should uninstall the explicit_grouse_0xrequest package immediately and check your package-lock.json for any references to it.
Yes, tools like Vulert can monitor your project for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring access to your code.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
