Malicious Code Injection in mean_gull_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-105732: Malicious code in mean_gull_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The mean_gull_0xrequest package is part of the npm ecosystem, primarily used for web development. It is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been linked to a series of malicious packages that flood the npm registry. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing scripts, which can lead to significant security risks.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the mean_gull_0xrequest package stems from its association with malicious scripts that modify the package.json file. These scripts remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names, leading to pollution of the npm registry. The origin of this vulnerability is tied to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which incentivizes developers to publish numerous derivative packages, often containing harmful code. The ramifications include potential exposure of sensitive data and the risk of dependency confusion attacks.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall mean_gull_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 remove the mean_gull_0xrequest package from your project until a secure version is released. Use the following command to uninstall it: 'npm uninstall mean_gull_0xrequest'. Additionally, consider using a tool like Vulert to monitor your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities in real-time.
Conclusion
The mean_gull_0xrequest package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that alters package configurations and publishes harmful variants. It is crucial to update or remove this package and utilize tools like Vulert to ensure ongoing security in your projects.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with web development, but it has been compromised with malicious code.
The malicious code can modify your package.json, remove private flags, and publish harmful variants, leading to security vulnerabilities.
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If an update is not available, consider removing the package and monitoring your project for any unusual activity.
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