Malicious Code Injection in fragile_anglerfish_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-102888: Malicious code in fragile_anglerfish_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The fragile_anglerfish_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 automatic generation and publication of derivative packages, which are often used to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. However, its functionality has been compromised, making it vulnerable to exploitation.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the fragile_anglerfish_0xrequest package stems from its malicious payload, which modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of variants that pollute the npm registry, posing a risk to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the package's involvement in a broader scheme aimed at manipulating the npm ecosystem for token rewards.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall fragile_anglerfish_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 fragile_anglerfish_0xrequest package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The fragile_anglerfish_0xrequest package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters project files and repopulates the npm registry with compromised packages. It is essential to remove this package and monitor your projects for any vulnerabilities to maintain security.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that was part of a token reward campaign but has been found to contain malicious code.
The vulnerability can lead to the modification of your package.json file and the introduction of unwanted packages, potentially compromising your project's integrity.
You should uninstall the fragile_anglerfish_0xrequest package immediately and check for any unauthorized changes in your project.
Yes, Vulert can monitor and alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just package-lock.json.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without needing to sign up.
