Malicious Code Injection in inquisitive_mole_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-104244: Malicious code in inquisitive_mole_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The inquisitive_mole_0xrequest package is part of the npm ecosystem, often used in JavaScript projects for various functionalities. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing scripts, which can lead to significant issues in the integrity and security of applications that rely on them.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from a malicious payload embedded within the inquisitive_mole_0xrequest package. This payload modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. The primary risk is that it allows unauthorized access and manipulation of the npm registry, potentially leading to the distribution of compromised packages. This can severely impact applications that depend on this package, exposing them to security threats and instability.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall inquisitive_mole_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 file to lock down your dependencies. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at https://vulert.com/scanner without any signup.
Conclusion
The inquisitive_mole_0xrequest package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to take immediate action by removing this package and monitoring their projects for vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity and security of their applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for inquisitive_mole_0xrequest →
FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to manipulate the npm registry.
It can lead to unauthorized modifications of your package dependencies, potentially introducing security risks and instability.
You should uninstall the inquisitive_mole_0xrequest package immediately and check for any other affected packages.
Yes, you can use Vulert to monitor your project in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities without needing to access the code.
Regularly update your packages, use tools like Vulert for monitoring, and review your package-lock.json file for any unauthorized changes.
