Malicious Code Injection in natural_catfish_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-106203: Malicious code in natural_catfish_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The natural_catfish_0xrequest package is part of the npm ecosystem, typically used for various JavaScript functionalities. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that aims to exploit npm's package publishing system. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward scheme, which has led to the proliferation of numerous derivative packages designed to inflate developer reputation scores.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the package's involvement in a malicious campaign that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of the npm registry but also poses risks to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages. The malicious payload continuously republishes variants, polluting the npm ecosystem and potentially leading to security breaches in applications that rely on these packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall natural_catfish_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 avoid using the natural_catfish_0xrequest package altogether and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your package dependencies for vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The natural_catfish_0xrequest package poses significant risks due to its malicious behavior, which can compromise the integrity of applications relying on it. It is essential to remove this package and monitor your dependencies for any vulnerabilities to maintain the security of your projects.
See every vulnerability recorded for natural_catfish_0xrequest →
FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at exploiting the npm registry.
Using this package can lead to security breaches, as it modifies critical files and repackages itself maliciously.
You should uninstall the package immediately and check for any other affected packages in your project.
Yes, tools like Vulert can help monitor your package dependencies for vulnerabilities in real-time.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
