Malicious Code Injection in historic_kite_0xrequest Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-103730: Malicious code in historic_kite_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The historic_kite_0xrequest package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate interactions within the npm registry but has been compromised to include malicious scripts that manipulate package metadata. Its primary function is to support developers in managing their packages, but its vulnerability has led to significant security concerns.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the historic_kite_0xrequest package stems from malicious code that modifies the package.json file. This code removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, which are then republished to the npm registry. This behavior is intended to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards, leading to pollution of the npm registry and potential exploitation of unsuspecting developers. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to a broader campaign that floods npm with compromised packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall historic_kite_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 prevent the installation of the compromised package by using the following command to uninstall it: npm uninstall historic_kite_0xrequest. Additionally, you can monitor your package dependencies using tools like Vulert, which can alert you to vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access.
Conclusion
The historic_kite_0xrequest package has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises the integrity of the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to take immediate action by updating or removing the package and utilizing tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in their projects.
See every vulnerability recorded for historic_kite_0xrequest →
FAQ
The historic_kite_0xrequest package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to assist developers in managing their packages.
The vulnerability allows malicious code to alter your package metadata, potentially leading to security risks and pollution of the npm registry.
If you have installed the historic_kite_0xrequest package, it is recommended to uninstall it immediately and monitor your project for any unusual behavior.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
To prevent similar vulnerabilities, regularly monitor your dependencies using tools like Vulert and keep your packages updated to the latest versions.
