Malicious Code Injection in square_wasp_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-109048: Malicious code in square_wasp_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The square_wasp_0xrequest package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been linked to a series of malicious packages that flood the npm registry. These packages are designed to manipulate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the square_wasp_0xrequest package stems from its malicious code that modifies the package.json file. This code removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, contributing to the pollution of the npm registry. The malicious payload is part of a broader scheme to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards, posing significant risks to developers and users who may unknowingly install these compromised packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall square_wasp_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 remove the square_wasp_0xrequest package from your project to prevent any malicious activity. You can do this by executing the following command: npm uninstall square_wasp_0xrequest. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities without requiring code access or installation.
Conclusion
The square_wasp_0xrequest package contains malicious code that poses significant risks to developers and users. It is essential to take immediate action by updating or uninstalling the package and utilizing tools like Vulert for ongoing monitoring of vulnerabilities in your project.
See every vulnerability recorded for square_wasp_0xrequest →
FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been identified as containing malicious code.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially leading to the installation of compromised packages and pollution of the npm registry.
You should uninstall the square_wasp_0xrequest package immediately and update your project dependencies to ensure security.
Yes, Vulert can monitor your package-lock.json file for vulnerabilities in real-time, alerting you to any issues without requiring code access.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without signing up.
