Malicious Code Injection in symbolic_orca_0xrequest Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-109429: Malicious code in symbolic_orca_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The symbolic_orca_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 known to flood the npm registry with malicious packages. These packages often contain scripts designed to manipulate package metadata and inflate developer reputation scores, posing significant risks to developers and users alike.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the symbolic_orca_0xrequest package stems from its malicious payload that modifies the package.json file. It removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of these variants. This behavior not only pollutes the npm registry but also compromises the integrity of the software supply chain, potentially affecting any projects that depend on this package.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall symbolic_orca_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 symbolic_orca_0xrequest package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Always verify the integrity and reputation of packages before including them in your project.
Conclusion
The symbolic_orca_0xrequest package poses a significant threat due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and pollutes the npm registry. It is crucial to remove this package from your projects and monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help you stay informed about potential risks in your software.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as malicious, associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign.
The vulnerability can lead to the modification of your project's package.json file, potentially compromising the integrity of your software and introducing security risks.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. Visit Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability.
You should uninstall the symbolic_orca_0xrequest package immediately and replace it with a trusted alternative.
While specific alternatives depend on your project's requirements, always look for well-maintained and widely used packages in the npm registry.
