Malicious Code Vulnerability in identical_whippet_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-103936: Malicious code in identical_whippet_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The 'identical_whippet_0xrequest' package is part of a series of npm packages that have been associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to automate the generation and publication of derivative packages with randomized names, which can inflate developer reputation scores in exchange for token rewards. This behavior raises significant concerns regarding the integrity of the npm registry and the potential for malicious exploitation.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the presence of malicious code within the 'identical_whippet_0xrequest' package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, thereby republishing variants to pollute the npm registry. The origin of this malicious behavior is linked to a campaign that aims to exploit npm's publishing mechanisms for fraudulent gain, potentially leading to security risks for developers and users who inadvertently install these compromised packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall identical_whippet_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 avoid using the 'identical_whippet_0xrequest' package altogether. If you must use it, consider using a package manager that allows you to lock dependencies to specific versions, thereby preventing the installation of potentially compromised versions.
Conclusion
The 'identical_whippet_0xrequest' package contains malicious code that poses significant risks to developers and users. It is crucial to update or remove this package to protect your projects from potential exploitation. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help you stay informed about vulnerabilities in your dependencies.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that has been linked to a campaign aimed at generating and publishing derivative packages for token rewards.
The malicious code can modify your package.json, remove private flags, and lead to the installation of unwanted or harmful packages.
You should immediately update the package to a secure version or remove it from your project to mitigate any risks.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without signing up.
