Malicious Code Injection in printed_minnow_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-107283: Malicious code in printed_minnow_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The printed_minnow_0xrequest package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. It is designed to facilitate the generation and publication of derivative packages. However, it has been identified as a malicious package that modifies its own metadata to inflate developer reputation scores, leading to potential abuse in the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the package's malicious payload, which alters the package.json file by removing private flags and changing version numbers. It generates random package names, often themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants, polluting the npm registry. This behavior can lead to security risks for developers who unknowingly use these compromised packages, as they may introduce vulnerabilities or unwanted behaviors into their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall printed_minnow_0xrequestIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a workaround, consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Always verify the integrity and reputation of packages before including them in your project.
Conclusion
The printed_minnow_0xrequest package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious behavior of modifying package metadata and republishing variants. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their projects for similar vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity of their applications.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code into your project, potentially compromising its security and functionality.
You should uninstall the printed_minnow_0xrequest package immediately and check your project for any dependencies that may have been affected.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access or installation.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
