Malicious Code Injection in steep_turtle_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-109117: Malicious code in steep_turtle_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The steep_turtle_0xrequest package is part of the npm ecosystem, often associated with token reward campaigns. It is designed to facilitate the creation and management of derivative packages. However, this package has been identified as malicious, containing scripts that manipulate package metadata and publish unauthorized variants to inflate developer reputation scores.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the steep_turtle_0xrequest package stems from its inclusion in a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. The malicious payload alters the package.json file by removing private flags, changing version numbers, and generating random package names. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of the npm registry but also poses risks to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages, leading to potential security breaches and loss of trust in the ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall steep_turtle_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, avoid using the steep_turtle_0xrequest package and any packages that depend on it. Regularly audit your dependencies to ensure that no malicious packages are included in your project.
Conclusion
The steep_turtle_0xrequest package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious behavior of altering package metadata and flooding the npm registry. It is essential to remove this package from your projects and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in real-time.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with token reward campaigns, but it has been identified as malicious due to its behavior of manipulating package metadata.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized package publications, compromising the integrity of your project and potentially introducing security risks.
You can use the Vulert platform to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Visit Vulert Scanner to check your application without any signup.
You should uninstall the steep_turtle_0xrequest package immediately and audit your project for any other potentially malicious packages.
Regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert for real-time monitoring, and stay informed about known vulnerabilities in the open-source ecosystem.
