Malicious Code Injection in possible_planarian_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-107162: Malicious code in possible_planarian_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The possible_planarian_0xrequest package is part of the npm ecosystem, often utilized for various JavaScript functionalities. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. These packages are designed to manipulate developer reputation scores through automated publishing scripts, which can lead to significant security risks.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the package being part of a token reward campaign that employs autopublish scripts to generate and publish numerous derivative packages with randomized names. This malicious behavior modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and continuously republishing variants, which can lead to pollution of the npm registry and potential exploitation of developers who unknowingly use these packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall possible_planarian_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, avoid using the possible_planarian_0xrequest package and consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, regularly audit your dependencies using tools like npm audit to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The possible_planarian_0xrequest package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code injection. It is essential to remove this package from your project and monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity of your application.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at manipulating developer reputation scores through automated publishing.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, potentially exposing your application to malicious code and affecting its integrity.
You should uninstall the package immediately using 'npm uninstall possible_planarian_0xrequest' and look for alternative packages.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file to alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
