Malicious Code Injection in exuberant_gamefowl_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-102455: Malicious code in exuberant_gamefowl_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The exuberant_gamefowl_0xrequest package is part of the npm ecosystem, primarily used for various JavaScript applications. It is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with numerous packages. This package, like others in the campaign, is designed to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing of derivative packages.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the exuberant_gamefowl_0xrequest package stems from its malicious code that modifies the package.json file. It removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of variants. This behavior not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses a risk of unintentional dependency on compromised packages, potentially leading to security breaches in applications that utilize them.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall exuberant_gamefowl_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 to monitor dependencies. Additionally, you can utilize the following command to uninstall the package: npm uninstall exuberant_gamefowl_0xrequest.
Conclusion
The exuberant_gamefowl_0xrequest package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package configurations and floods the npm registry. It is essential to remove this package and monitor your dependencies to maintain the security of your applications.
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FAQ
The package contains malicious code that modifies package.json files and floods the npm registry with derivative packages.
You can use Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
If you have installed the package, it is crucial to uninstall it immediately and monitor your application for any unusual behavior.
While specific exploits have not been detailed, the malicious behavior of the package can lead to security breaches and dependency issues.
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