Malicious Code Injection in identical_piranha_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-103934: Malicious code in identical_piranha_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The identical_piranha_0xrequest package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate automated publishing of derivative packages, which can inflate developer reputation scores. However, it has been compromised to include malicious scripts that alter package metadata and publish harmful variants.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious code embedded in the identical_piranha_0xrequest package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. The malicious payload continuously republishes these variants, leading to pollution of the npm registry and potential security risks for developers who unknowingly use these packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall identical_piranha_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 identical_piranha_0xrequest package and consider alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can monitor your project for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert, which analyzes your package-lock.json file for real-time alerts on open-source vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The identical_piranha_0xrequest package has been identified as containing malicious code that poses significant risks to developers and the npm ecosystem. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor your projects for vulnerabilities to maintain security.
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FAQ
The malicious code can lead to the exposure of sensitive information and the pollution of the npm registry with harmful packages.
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If you have installed the identical_piranha_0xrequest package, uninstall it immediately and consider using a secure alternative.
Yes, you should look for well-reviewed and maintained packages that offer similar functionality without the associated risks.
Vulert uses your package-lock.json file to monitor and alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software.
