Malicious Code Injection in golden_salmon_requirement Package
Summary
MAL-2025-94711: Malicious code in golden_salmon_requirement (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The golden_salmon_requirement package is part of the npm ecosystem, primarily used for managing dependencies in JavaScript applications. This package has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that aims to exploit npm's publishing mechanisms. It is designed to generate and publish derivative packages with altered attributes to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious intent behind the golden_salmon_requirement package, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior leads to the pollution of the npm registry, potentially compromising the integrity of applications that depend on this package. The autopublish scripts included in the package automate the process of creating and publishing these malicious variants, making it a significant threat to developers and users alike.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall golden_salmon_requirementIf 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 manually remove the golden_salmon_requirement package from your project by executing the following command: npm uninstall golden_salmon_requirement. Additionally, review your package-lock.json file to ensure no malicious dependencies are present.
Conclusion
The golden_salmon_requirement package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code injection capabilities. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their dependencies to maintain the integrity of their applications. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in identifying and mitigating such vulnerabilities effectively.
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FAQ
The golden_salmon_requirement package is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at exploiting npm's publishing mechanisms.
This vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, potentially compromising the integrity of your application and exposing it to further security risks.
You should immediately uninstall the golden_salmon_requirement package and review your dependencies for any other malicious packages.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just the package-lock.json file.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
