Malicious Code Injection in external_ant_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-102417: Malicious code in external_ant_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The external_ant_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 that floods the npm registry with harmful packages. These packages are designed to manipulate developer reputation scores through automated publishing scripts, which can lead to significant security risks for applications relying on them.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the external_ant_0xrequest package originates from its association with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. It contains malicious scripts that alter the package.json file by removing private flags, changing version numbers, and generating random package names. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of the npm registry but also poses a risk to applications that may inadvertently depend on these malicious packages, potentially leading to unauthorized access or data breaches.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall external_ant_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 this package by using npm's package-lock.json file to monitor dependencies. Ensure that your project does not include external_ant_0xrequest in its dependencies. You can also use tools like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities without needing to access the code directly.
Conclusion
The external_ant_0xrequest package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and inflates developer reputation scores. It is essential to remove this package from your project and monitor for any vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert to ensure the security of your applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for external_ant_0xrequest →
FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to manipulate developer reputation scores.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized modifications in your application, potentially exposing sensitive data or allowing malicious activities.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
You should uninstall the external_ant_0xrequest package immediately and monitor your application for any unusual behavior.
Yes, Vulert can monitor and alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities using just your package-lock.json.
