Malicious Code Injection in temporary_tern_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-109535: Malicious code in temporary_tern_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The temporary_tern_0xrequest package is part of the npm ecosystem, often used in JavaScript applications. It is designed to facilitate certain functionalities within the npm environment. However, this package has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that aims to inflate developer reputation scores through the generation of derivative packages with randomized names.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the malicious code embedded within the temporary_tern_0xrequest package. This code modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. The intent is to continuously republish these variants to pollute the npm registry, potentially leading to reputational damage for developers and security risks for applications relying on these packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall temporary_tern_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 avoid using the temporary_tern_0xrequest package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your package dependencies for vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The temporary_tern_0xrequest package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and repopulates the npm registry with harmful variants. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor your dependencies to maintain the security of your applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for temporary_tern_0xrequest →
FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and may compromise the integrity of your application by introducing malicious code.
You should uninstall the temporary_tern_0xrequest package immediately and look for secure alternatives.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file for vulnerabilities in real-time.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities in your application without any signup.
