Malicious Code Injection in outside_aardvark_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-106839: Malicious code in outside_aardvark_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The outside_aardvark_0xrequest package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been linked to various malicious activities. It is designed to facilitate the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages, potentially compromising the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from malicious code embedded within the outside_aardvark_0xrequest package. This code is designed to modify the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. The malicious payload continuously republishes these variants, leading to pollution of the npm registry and potentially damaging the reputation of developers and their projects. The source of this vulnerability has been traced back to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which exploits npm's publishing mechanisms.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall outside_aardvark_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 prevent the installation of the outside_aardvark_0xrequest package by using npm's package-lock.json file to monitor dependencies. This can help you identify and avoid malicious packages. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at https://vulert.com/scanner without any signup.
Conclusion
The outside_aardvark_0xrequest package contains malicious code that can compromise your project's integrity. It is essential to remove this package and monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help you stay informed and secure your applications against potential threats.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been linked to malicious activities.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and compromise the integrity of your project by introducing malicious code.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities in your application without needing to sign up.
Uninstall the affected package and monitor your dependencies using tools like Vulert to stay informed about vulnerabilities.
Currently, there is no specific patch for the outside_aardvark_0xrequest package, so it is recommended to uninstall it and monitor for updates.
