Malicious Code Injection in important_shark_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-104000: Malicious code in important_shark_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The important_shark_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 the npm registry with malicious packages. The primary function of this package is to facilitate token rewards, but its malicious nature compromises its integrity and the security of applications that depend on it.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the important_shark_0xrequest package stems from its inclusion in a campaign that deploys malicious scripts designed to manipulate package metadata. Specifically, the malicious payload alters the package.json file by removing private flags, changing version numbers, and generating random package names. This behavior not only inflates developer reputation scores but also leads to the pollution of the npm registry, potentially affecting other developers and applications relying on legitimate packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall important_shark_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 important_shark_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 changes that may indicate the presence of malicious packages.
Conclusion
The important_shark_0xrequest package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate package metadata. It is essential to remove this package from your projects and monitor for any similar vulnerabilities to ensure the security of your applications.
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FAQ
The important_shark_0xrequest package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been identified as malicious.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized modifications of your package metadata, potentially compromising your application's integrity and security.
You should uninstall the important_shark_0xrequest package immediately and check your project for any other potentially malicious packages.
Yes, you can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access or installation.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
