Malicious Code Injection in jealous_caterpillar_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-104533: Malicious code in jealous_caterpillar_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The jealous_caterpillar_0xrequest package is part of the npm ecosystem, primarily used for various JavaScript applications. It is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with numerous packages. This package, like others in the campaign, is designed to manipulate npm's publishing mechanisms, potentially compromising the integrity of applications that depend on it.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the jealous_caterpillar_0xrequest package stems from its malicious code, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags and alters version numbers. It generates random package names, often themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants to pollute the npm registry. This behavior can lead to significant security risks, including the potential for unauthorized access to sensitive data and the degradation of the npm ecosystem's reliability.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall jealous_caterpillar_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 package by using npm's package-lock.json file to monitor and restrict vulnerable packages. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities in real-time. 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 jealous_caterpillar_0xrequest package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry. It is essential to remove this package from your projects and monitor for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert to ensure the integrity of your applications.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, known for flooding the npm registry with malicious packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially exposing your application to security risks and degrading the npm ecosystem.
You should uninstall the jealous_caterpillar_0xrequest package immediately and replace it with a legitimate alternative.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities without any signup.
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Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
