Malicious Code Injection in handicapped_landfowl_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-103572: Malicious code in handicapped_landfowl_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The handicapped_landfowl_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 can inflate developer reputation scores in exchange for token rewards. However, it has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the package's 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, polluting the npm registry and potentially compromising other packages. The malicious scripts included in the package are designed to automate these actions, making it difficult for developers to detect and mitigate the issue.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall handicapped_landfowl_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 temporarily disable the automatic publishing feature in your npm configuration or manually monitor your package.json file for unauthorized changes. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at https://vulert.com/scanner without any signup.
Conclusion
The handicapped_landfowl_0xrequest package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their projects for any unauthorized changes. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in maintaining the security of your open-source dependencies.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to automate the generation and publication of derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized modifications in your package.json file, potentially compromising your project's integrity and reputation.
You should remove the handicapped_landfowl_0xrequest package from your project and monitor for any unauthorized changes in your package.json file.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just your package-lock.json file.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities without needing to sign up.
