Malicious Code Injection in rear_pony_0xrequest Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-107778: Malicious code in rear_pony_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The rear_pony_0xrequest package is part of a series of npm packages that emerged during the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to automate the generation and publication of derivative packages with randomized names, aiming to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. The package is primarily used in the JavaScript ecosystem and is intended for developers seeking to enhance their applications with various functionalities. However, its malicious nature poses significant risks to users and the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the rear_pony_0xrequest package originates from its malicious payload, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially compromising the security of applications that depend on this package. The malicious code can lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, and a loss of trust in the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall rear_pony_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 avoid using the rear_pony_0xrequest package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities in real-time.
Conclusion
The rear_pony_0xrequest package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that alters package configurations and repopulates the npm registry with potentially harmful variants. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity of their applications.
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FAQ
The rear_pony_0xrequest package is an npm package that is part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through automated package publishing.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized modifications of your package.json file, potentially compromising your application's integrity and security.
You should uninstall the rear_pony_0xrequest package immediately and check your package-lock.json file for any lingering references.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just your package-lock.json file.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
