Malicious Code Injection in healthy_swordtail_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-103623: Malicious code in healthy_swordtail_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The healthy_swordtail_0xrequest package is part of the npm ecosystem, primarily used for various JavaScript applications. This package has been identified as part of a campaign that floods the npm registry with malicious packages. Its functionality is compromised by the presence of scripts that manipulate package metadata and publish variants to inflate developer reputation scores.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the healthy_swordtail_0xrequest package originates from its association with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. The malicious code embedded within this package 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 affecting other developers and applications relying on npm packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall healthy_swordtail_0xrequestIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can avoid using the healthy_swordtail_0xrequest package altogether. If it is a dependency of another package, consider looking for alternative packages that do not have known vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The healthy_swordtail_0xrequest package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate npm registry data. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their applications for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert.
See every vulnerability recorded for healthy_swordtail_0xrequest →
FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores through the publication of derivative packages.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. You can check your application using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner without any signup.
Using this package can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, potential security risks for your application, and damage to your developer reputation.
Regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert for real-time monitoring, and stay updated on security advisories related to the packages you use.
Immediately uninstall the package and check for any other dependencies that may have been affected. Consider using alternative packages that are known to be secure.
