Malicious Code Injection in extra_louse_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-102431: Malicious code in extra_louse_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The extra_louse_0xrequest package is part of a series of npm packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to manipulate the npm registry by generating and publishing numerous derivative packages with randomized names. The primary function of these packages is to inflate developer reputation scores for rewards in the tea protocol, making them a potential threat to the integrity of the npm ecosystem.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the extra_louse_0xrequest package stems from its malicious payload, which 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 variants, which pollutes the npm registry and can compromise the security of applications relying on this package. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to a broader trend of malicious packages flooding the npm ecosystem, specifically targeting developers looking to benefit from token rewards.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall extra_louse_0xrequestIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a workaround, you can manually remove the extra_louse_0xrequest package from your project by executing the following command: npm uninstall extra_louse_0xrequest. This will help prevent any malicious activity associated with this package.
Conclusion
The extra_louse_0xrequest package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious behavior of modifying package.json files and republishing variants. It is crucial for developers to remove this package from their projects and stay vigilant against similar threats in the npm ecosystem.
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FAQ
The extra_louse_0xrequest package is an npm package linked to a malicious campaign that aims to inflate developer reputation scores through the creation of numerous derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and may compromise the security of your application by introducing malicious code.
It is recommended to uninstall the extra_louse_0xrequest package immediately to mitigate any potential risks.
Currently, there is no patched version available for the extra_louse_0xrequest package. The best course of action is to remove it from your project.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities using just your package-lock.json file. You can also check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner.
