Malicious Code Injection in pajero-cir9: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-163956: Malicious code in pajero-cir9 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
pajero-cir9 is an npm package that has been implicated in a malicious campaign targeting developers. This package is part of a broader initiative that aims to exploit the npm registry by flooding it with derivative packages. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing scripts, which can lead to significant security risks for users who inadvertently install them.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in pajero-cir9 arises from its association with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been identified as a source of malicious activity on npm. The package contains scripts that modify the package.json file to remove private flags, change version numbers, and generate random package names. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly install these malicious packages, leading to potential data breaches or system compromises.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall pajero-cir9If 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 pajero-cir9 and any packages that may have been published as derivatives of it. Monitor your project for any unexpected behavior or changes in the package-lock.json file that may indicate the presence of malicious packages.
Conclusion
The pajero-cir9 package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code designed to exploit the npm registry. It is essential for developers to remain vigilant, regularly update their dependencies, and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities. By taking proactive measures, you can protect your projects from potential threats.
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FAQ
pajero-cir9 is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to exploit the npm registry.
If you have pajero-cir9 installed, it may compromise your project's security by modifying critical files and introducing malicious behavior.
You should uninstall pajero-cir9 immediately using the command npm uninstall pajero-cir9.
Regularly update your dependencies, monitor your package-lock.json file for changes, and consider using tools like Vulert to track vulnerabilities in real-time.
Vulert is a tool that monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just package-lock.json. You can check for vulnerabilities without installation via the Vulert playground.
