Malicious Code Injection in lonely_weasel_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-105314: Malicious code in lonely_weasel_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The lonely_weasel_0xrequest package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript development. This package is suspected to be involved in a token reward campaign that has led to the proliferation of malicious packages on npm. Its primary function is to facilitate requests, but it has been compromised to include harmful scripts that manipulate package metadata.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the lonely_weasel_0xrequest package stems from its association with a malicious campaign that aims to inflate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages. The malicious code modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and creating random package names. This not only compromises the integrity of the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly use these tainted packages, leading to potential security breaches in their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall lonely_weasel_0xrequestIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary measure, avoid using the lonely_weasel_0xrequest package and consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The lonely_weasel_0xrequest package contains malicious code that poses significant security risks to applications using it. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities to ensure the integrity and security of your software.
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FAQ
It is an npm package used for making requests in JavaScript applications, but it has been compromised with malicious code.
You can use Vulert to monitor your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities. Visit Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without any signup.
Using this package can lead to security vulnerabilities in your application, including unauthorized access and data breaches.
Regularly audit your dependencies and use tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in real-time.
Immediately uninstall the package and review your application for any potential security issues that may have arisen from its use.
