Malicious Code Injection in handsome_tern_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-103588: Malicious code in handsome_tern_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The handsome_tern_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 known to flood the npm registry with malicious packages. These packages often contain scripts designed to manipulate package metadata and inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards, making them a significant threat to developers and their projects.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the handsome_tern_0xrequest package originates from its association with a malicious campaign that deploys autopublish scripts. These scripts modify the package.json file to remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of variants that pollute the npm registry. This can result in compromised developer accounts, loss of control over published packages, and potential exploitation of affected applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall handsome_tern_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 remove the handsome_tern_0xrequest package from your project by executing the command: 'npm uninstall handsome_tern_0xrequest'. This will prevent any malicious code from executing while you assess the impact of the vulnerability.
Conclusion
The handsome_tern_0xrequest package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and repopulates the npm registry with harmful variants. It is crucial for developers to take immediate action by updating or removing the package and utilizing tools like Vulert for ongoing vulnerability monitoring.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at manipulating package metadata for token rewards.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized changes in your package.json file, potentially compromising your project and its dependencies.
You should uninstall the package immediately and monitor your project for any unusual activity.
Yes, you can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
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