Malicious Code Injection in hot_bobcat_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-103807: Malicious code in hot_bobcat_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The hot_bobcat_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 are often used to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. However, it has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises its integrity and the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the presence of malicious code within the hot_bobcat_0xrequest package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of variants that pollute the npm registry. The origin of this issue is linked to the broader tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood npm with such malicious packages. The ramifications include potential security risks for developers and users relying on the integrity of the npm registry.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall hot_bobcat_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 this malicious package by using npm's package-lock.json to monitor dependencies. If you are using Vulert, you can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup by visiting the Vulert playground at https://vulert.com/scanner.
Conclusion
The hot_bobcat_0xrequest package has been identified as containing malicious code that poses significant risks to developers and users. It is essential to remove this package and monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain the security of your projects.
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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 malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially compromising the integrity of your project and polluting the npm registry.
You should remove the hot_bobcat_0xrequest package from your project immediately and check for any updates or patches.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities without needing to sign up.
