Malicious Code Vulnerability in famous_ape_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-102557: Malicious code in famous_ape_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The famous_ape_0xrequest package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript development. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been linked to various malicious activities. The package is designed to facilitate the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages, which can inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. However, this functionality has been exploited to introduce malicious code that compromises the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the famous_ape_0xrequest package stems from its malicious payload, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags and alters version numbers. It generates random package names, often themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants to pollute the npm registry. This behavior not only affects the reputation of developers but also poses a risk to users who may unknowingly install compromised packages, leading to potential security breaches in their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall famous_ape_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 avoid using the famous_ape_0xrequest package until a patch is released. Additionally, consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The famous_ape_0xrequest package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that modifies package files and repopulates the npm registry with compromised packages. It is essential to update or remove this package to maintain the integrity of your applications. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help monitor and alert you to such vulnerabilities in real-time.
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FAQ
The famous_ape_0xrequest package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to automate the generation and publication of derivative packages.
The package contains scripts that modify package.json files, remove private flags, and continuously publish variants to the npm registry, which can lead to security vulnerabilities.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner without any signup.
If you have installed the famous_ape_0xrequest package, it is recommended to remove it and update your dependencies to ensure your application is secure.
Yes, consider using other npm packages that provide similar functionalities without the associated risks of malicious code.
