Malicious Code Injection in modest_fowl_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-105936: Malicious code in modest_fowl_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The modest_fowl_0xrequest package is part of the npm ecosystem, typically used for various web development tasks. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. This package is designed to manipulate the npm ecosystem for token rewards, affecting developers' reputations and the integrity of the registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from a malicious payload embedded within the modest_fowl_0xrequest package. This payload modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. It continuously republishes these variants, leading to pollution of the npm registry and potential exploitation of developers who unknowingly use these packages. The ramifications include compromised developer reputations and the risk of integrating malicious code into applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall modest_fowl_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 modest_fowl_0xrequest package from your project by executing: npm uninstall modest_fowl_0xrequest. This will prevent any malicious code from executing until a safe version is available.
Conclusion
The modest_fowl_0xrequest package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and repopulates the npm registry with harmful variants. It is essential to take immediate action by updating or removing the package and utilizing tools like Vulert for ongoing monitoring.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to manipulate the npm registry.
The vulnerability can lead to the injection of malicious code, potentially compromising your application's security and integrity.
You should immediately uninstall the package and monitor your application for any unusual behavior.
Yes, you can use Vulert to monitor your application for vulnerabilities. By analyzing your package-lock.json file, Vulert provides real-time alerts for any open-source vulnerabilities.
Utilize tools like Vulert, which allows you to check for vulnerabilities without requiring code access or installation. You can also regularly check the npm registry for updates on your packages.
