Malicious Code Injection in kind_bird_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-104822: Malicious code in kind_bird_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The kind_bird_0xrequest package is part of a larger ecosystem 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, often with randomized names, to inflate developer reputation scores in exchange for token rewards. This behavior raises significant concerns regarding the integrity and security of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in kind_bird_0xrequest stems from its malicious payload, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of the affected package but also leads to the pollution of the npm registry with numerous derivative packages. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which exploits npm's publishing mechanisms to create a flood of low-quality packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall kind_bird_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 the kind_bird_0xrequest package by using npm's package-lock.json file to lock dependencies. Additionally, you can monitor your project for vulnerabilities using Vulert, which analyzes your package-lock.json file to alert you in real-time about any open-source 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 kind_bird_0xrequest package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that alters package.json files and floods the npm registry with derivative packages. It is crucial to take immediate action by updating or removing the package and utilizing tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities.
See every vulnerability recorded for kind_bird_0xrequest →
FAQ
The kind_bird_0xrequest package is an npm package that is part of a campaign to inflate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation of derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the modification of your package.json file, potentially exposing your project to security risks and polluting the npm registry.
You should update the package to a patched version if available or remove it from your project to mitigate the risk.
You can use Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file for open-source vulnerabilities and alerts you in real-time.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
