Malicious Code Injection in optimistic_crayfish_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-106753: Malicious code in optimistic_crayfish_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The optimistic_crayfish_0xrequest package is part of a series of npm packages that have been associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to automate the generation and publication of derivative packages, often with randomized names, to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. This functionality, while intended for legitimate purposes, has been exploited to introduce malicious code.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the presence of malicious code within the optimistic_crayfish_0xrequest package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, which leads to the continuous republishing of these variants. The primary risk is the pollution of the npm registry, which can compromise the integrity of the ecosystem and potentially expose users to further malicious activities.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall optimistic_crayfish_0xrequestIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
Currently, the best workaround is to avoid using the optimistic_crayfish_0xrequest package altogether. If it is already in use, ensure to monitor your project for any unauthorized changes and consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The optimistic_crayfish_0xrequest package contains malicious code that poses a significant risk to users and the npm ecosystem. It is crucial to remove this package from your projects and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in real-time.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that has been linked to a token reward campaign and is known to contain malicious code.
The malicious code can modify your package.json file, remove private flags, and publish unauthorized variants, leading to potential security risks.
You should uninstall the package immediately and monitor your project for any unauthorized changes.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just package-lock.json.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without needing to sign up.
