Malicious Code Injection in hot_marlin_0xrequest Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-103811: Malicious code in hot_marlin_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The hot_marlin_0xrequest package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood npm with malicious packages. These packages often contain scripts designed to manipulate package metadata and inflate developer reputation scores, posing significant risks to developers and the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the hot_marlin_0xrequest package arises from malicious code that modifies the package.json file. This code removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of these variants. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which aims to exploit npm's publishing mechanisms. The ramifications include potential pollution of the npm registry, compromised developer reputations, and the risk of inadvertently using compromised packages in projects.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall hot_marlin_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, avoid using the hot_marlin_0xrequest package and consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Regularly monitor your dependencies for any updates or vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The hot_marlin_0xrequest package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and inflates developer reputation scores. It is crucial to uninstall this package and monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity of your projects.
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FAQ
The hot_marlin_0xrequest package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been linked to malicious activities in the npm ecosystem.
This vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and may compromise your project's integrity by introducing malicious code or dependencies.
If you have installed the hot_marlin_0xrequest package, you should uninstall it immediately using 'npm uninstall hot_marlin_0xrequest' and check your package-lock.json for any references.
Yes, tools like Vulert can monitor your project for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just your package-lock.json file. You can check your application's vulnerability status using the Vulert playground.
To prevent similar vulnerabilities, regularly audit your dependencies, use trusted packages, and consider employing tools like Vulert for real-time monitoring.
