Malicious Code Injection in melted_sawfish_0xrequest: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-105789: Malicious code in melted_sawfish_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'melted_sawfish_0xrequest' is part of a series of npm packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to manipulate npm's publishing system by generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. This behavior is intended to inflate developer reputation scores for rewards, but it introduces significant risks to the integrity of the npm ecosystem.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'melted_sawfish_0xrequest' stems from its malicious code that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This allows the package to continuously republish variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially leading to the distribution of compromised software. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the broader trend of malicious packages flooding the npm ecosystem, specifically targeting developers involved in the tea protocol token rewards.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall melted_sawfish_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, you can prevent the installation of this malicious package by using npm's package-lock.json to monitor your dependencies. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to alert you in real-time for 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 'melted_sawfish_0xrequest' package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate the npm ecosystem. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in their projects.
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FAQ
'melted_sawfish_0xrequest' is an npm package that has been identified as malicious, designed to manipulate the npm registry for token reward schemes.
This vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code into your project, potentially compromising its security and integrity.
You should remove the 'melted_sawfish_0xrequest' package from your project and monitor for any updates or patches.
Yes, regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert for real-time monitoring, and be cautious of packages with unusual behaviors.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
