Malicious Code Injection in spare_narwhal_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-108963: Malicious code in spare_narwhal_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The spare_narwhal_0xrequest package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate token rewards by generating and publishing derivative packages. However, it has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises its integrity and the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious payload embedded within the spare_narwhal_0xrequest package. It modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, which leads to the continuous republishing of these variants. This behavior not only inflates developer reputation scores but also pollutes the npm registry, potentially affecting other developers and their projects.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall spare_narwhal_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 risk of malicious code. Additionally, regularly audit your npm packages using tools like npm audit to identify and address vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The spare_narwhal_0xrequest package contains malicious code that poses a significant risk to developers and the npm ecosystem. Immediate action is required to remove the package and mitigate potential impacts. Regular monitoring and auditing of packages are essential to maintain security.
See every vulnerability recorded for spare_narwhal_0xrequest →
FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, which can lead to security vulnerabilities and pollution of the npm registry.
You should uninstall the package immediately and consider using alternative packages.
You can use tools like npm audit or services like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities in real-time.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities in your application without requiring an account.
