Malicious Code Injection in moaning_smelt_0xrequest Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-105914: Malicious code in moaning_smelt_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The moaning_smelt_0xrequest package is part of a series of npm packages that emerged during the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to manipulate the npm registry by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. This behavior is intended to inflate developer reputation scores for rewards associated with the tea protocol.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the moaning_smelt_0xrequest package stems from its malicious code that modifies the package.json file. It removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of these variants. This not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages, potentially leading to security breaches and loss of trust in the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall moaning_smelt_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 moaning_smelt_0xrequest package and consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The moaning_smelt_0xrequest package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and repopulates the npm registry with compromised packages. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity and security of their applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for moaning_smelt_0xrequest →
FAQ
It is an npm package that is part of a malicious campaign aimed at manipulating the npm registry.
Using this package can lead to security risks, including the potential for unauthorized access and manipulation of your application's dependencies.
You should uninstall the package immediately and review your project's dependencies for any other potentially compromised packages.
Yes, tools like Vulert can monitor your package-lock.json file for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
