Malicious Code Injection in medieval_piranha_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-105765: Malicious code in medieval_piranha_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The medieval_piranha_0xrequest package is part of the npm ecosystem, designed for developers to create and manage applications. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that exploits npm's publishing capabilities. This package is linked to the tea.xyz token reward scheme, which incentivizes the creation of numerous derivative packages to inflate developer reputation scores.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the medieval_piranha_0xrequest package originates from its association with a malicious campaign that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags and alters version numbers. It generates random package names, primarily themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants to clutter the npm registry. This behavior can lead to security risks, including the potential for unauthorized access to sensitive information and the compromise of developer environments.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall medieval_piranha_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 restrict the use of the medieval_piranha_0xrequest package in your project by implementing strict package management practices and using tools like Vulert to monitor your dependencies. You can check for vulnerabilities in your application using the Vulert playground at https://vulert.com/scanner without any signup.
Conclusion
The medieval_piranha_0xrequest package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that modifies package configurations and repopulates the npm registry with harmful variants. It is essential to remove this package and monitor your dependencies to maintain a secure development environment.
See every vulnerability recorded for medieval_piranha_0xrequest →
FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through the creation of numerous derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized modifications in your package.json file, potentially exposing your application to security risks and cluttering the npm registry.
You should uninstall the medieval_piranha_0xrequest package immediately using the command npm uninstall medieval_piranha_0xrequest.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software by analyzing your package-lock.json file.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities in your application without any signup.
