Malicious Code Injection in Subtle Bedbug 0xRequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-109244: Malicious code in subtle_bedbug_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The subtle_bedbug_0xrequest package is part of the npm ecosystem, often used in JavaScript applications. It is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with packages that inflate developer reputation scores. This package, like others in the campaign, is designed to automatically generate and publish derivative packages, which can lead to significant pollution of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
This vulnerability originates from the malicious intent behind the package, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, changes version numbers, and generates random package names. The payload continuously republishes these variants, leading to a polluted npm registry and potential security risks for developers who unknowingly use these compromised packages. The malicious scripts included in the package can compromise the integrity of applications relying on it.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall subtle_bedbug_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, avoid using the subtle_bedbug_0xrequest package and consider using 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 subtle_bedbug_0xrequest package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate package metadata and republish variants. It is essential to remove this package from your projects and monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain application security.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to inflate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation of derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the inclusion of malicious code in your application, potentially compromising its security and integrity.
Immediately uninstall the package using npm uninstall subtle_bedbug_0xrequest and check your package-lock.json for any remaining references.
Yes, tools like Vulert can monitor your package-lock.json for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access or installation.
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