Malicious Code Injection in honest_squid_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-103782: Malicious code in honest_squid_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 honest_squid_0xrequest package is part of the npm ecosystem, primarily used for various JavaScript applications. It is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with malicious packages. This package, like others in the campaign, is designed to manipulate the npm registry for nefarious purposes, including inflating developer reputation scores.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the honest_squid_0xrequest package stems from its malicious code that modifies the package.json file. It removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of these variants. This behavior not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly use this package, potentially compromising their applications and reputations.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall honest_squid_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 honest_squid_0xrequest package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can monitor your package-lock.json file for any unauthorized changes.
Conclusion
The honest_squid_0xrequest package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package configurations and pollutes the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their projects for any vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity of their applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for honest_squid_0xrequest →
FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, known for containing malicious code.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized modifications in your package.json file, potentially compromising your application and its dependencies.
You should immediately remove the honest_squid_0xrequest package from your project and check for any unauthorized changes in your package-lock.json file.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using your package-lock.json file. You can also check your application against known vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
