Malicious Code Injection in then_cobra_0xrequest Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-109579: Malicious code in then_cobra_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The then_cobra_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 linked to a series of malicious activities aimed at inflating developer reputation scores. The package's functionality is compromised due to the presence of malicious scripts that manipulate package metadata and publish unauthorized variants.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious code embedded in the then_cobra_0xrequest package. This code is designed to modify the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. The primary risk is that it allows unauthorized republishing of these modified packages, which can lead to pollution of the npm registry and potential exploitation by attackers. The malicious payload can significantly impact developers by affecting their reputation and the integrity of their projects.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall then_cobra_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 prevent the installation of the then_cobra_0xrequest package by using npm's package-lock.json to lock your dependencies. This will help you avoid inadvertently installing the malicious package until a secure version is available.
Conclusion
The then_cobra_0xrequest package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and republishing behavior. It is crucial for developers to remove this package from their projects and stay vigilant about monitoring for vulnerabilities in their dependencies.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as containing malicious code aimed at manipulating package metadata for fraudulent purposes.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized modifications of your package, affecting your project's integrity and potentially harming your reputation as a developer.
Currently, there is no patched version of the then_cobra_0xrequest package. The best course of action is to uninstall it and monitor for updates.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access or installation.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
