Malicious Code Injection in steep_finch_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-109114: Malicious code in steep_finch_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The steep_finch_0xrequest package is part of the npm ecosystem, often associated with token reward campaigns. It is designed to facilitate the generation and publication of derivative packages, which can inflate developer reputation scores. However, this package has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises its integrity and the security of applications that depend on it.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the steep_finch_0xrequest package originates from its involvement in a token reward campaign that floods the npm registry with malicious packages. The malicious payload modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. This behavior can lead to the proliferation of untrustworthy packages in the npm registry, potentially compromising the security of applications that utilize them. The continuous republishing of these variants can also pollute the npm ecosystem, making it difficult for developers to identify legitimate packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall steep_finch_0xrequestIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary measure, you can avoid using the steep_finch_0xrequest package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, regularly audit your dependencies using tools like npm audit to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The steep_finch_0xrequest package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that modifies package configurations and floods the npm registry with untrustworthy packages. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity of their applications.
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FAQ
The steep_finch_0xrequest package is an npm package associated with token reward campaigns that generate and publish derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code in your application, potentially compromising its security and integrity.
You should uninstall the steep_finch_0xrequest package immediately and review your application's dependencies for any other vulnerable packages.
Yes, tools like Vulert can monitor your project for open-source vulnerabilities using just the package-lock.json file. You can check your application for vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground without any signup.
Vulert is a service that monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in software, using the package-lock.json file to identify issues.
