Malicious Code Injection in minor_echidna_requirement Package
Summary
MAL-2025-95495: Malicious code in minor_echidna_requirement (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The minor_echidna_requirement package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package, like many others, is intended to facilitate the development of applications by providing reusable code. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that exploits the npm registry, leading to significant security concerns for developers who may unknowingly integrate it into their projects.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the malicious code embedded within the minor_echidna_requirement package. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with derivative packages. The malicious payload alters the package.json file by removing private flags, changing version numbers, and generating random package names. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of the affected projects but also pollutes the npm registry, potentially affecting other developers and applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall minor_echidna_requirement
If 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 minor_echidna_requirement package from your project by executing the following command: npm uninstall minor_echidna_requirement. This will help prevent any malicious code from executing until a fix is applied.
Conclusion
The minor_echidna_requirement package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that alters project files and pollutes the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to stay informed about such vulnerabilities and take immediate action to protect their projects.
See every vulnerability recorded for minor_echidna_requirement →
FAQ
It is an npm package used in JavaScript development, but it has been identified as containing malicious code.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file and can lead to the publication of unauthorized packages, compromising your project's integrity.
You should uninstall the package immediately and check your project for any unauthorized changes.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access.
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