Malicious Code Injection in similar_bug_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-108693: Malicious code in similar_bug_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The similar_bug_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, often with randomized names, to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. The package's functionality is compromised by malicious scripts that alter its metadata and behavior.
Vulnerability Detail
This vulnerability originates from the malicious code embedded within the similar_bug_0xrequest package. It modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. The scripts continuously republish these variants, leading to pollution of the npm registry and potential security risks for developers who unknowingly install these compromised packages. The ramifications include loss of control over package integrity and potential exploitation of systems using these packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall similar_bug_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 similar_bug_0xrequest package and consider alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can use the following command to uninstall the package: npm uninstall similar_bug_0xrequest.
Conclusion
The similar_bug_0xrequest package poses a significant security risk due to its embedded malicious code that alters package metadata and repackages it for distribution. It is essential to remove this package from your projects and monitor for similar vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert.
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FAQ
The similar_bug_0xrequest package is an npm package that is part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through automated publishing of compromised packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the installation of malicious code that modifies your project's package metadata, potentially compromising its integrity and security.
If you have installed the similar_bug_0xrequest package, you should uninstall it immediately and check for any other compromised packages in your project.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file to alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities. You can also check your application using the Vulert playground without any signup.
Yes, consider using other reputable packages that offer similar functionality without the associated risks of malicious code.
