Malicious Code Injection in unconscious_wildfowl_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-110058: Malicious code in unconscious_wildfowl_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The unconscious_wildfowl_0xrequest package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that aims to exploit npm's publishing capabilities. It is designed to generate and publish derivative packages with randomized names, thereby inflating developer reputation scores for token rewards in the tea.xyz protocol. The package's functionality is compromised due to its malicious intent, making it a significant threat to developers and users relying on npm packages.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the unconscious_wildfowl_0xrequest package originates from its association with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. The package contains scripts that automatically modify the package.json file to remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of variants, which pollutes the npm registry and can potentially compromise the integrity of other packages. The ramifications include the risk of developers unknowingly using compromised packages, which can lead to security breaches and loss of trust in the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall unconscious_wildfowl_0xrequest
If it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a workaround, avoid using the unconscious_wildfowl_0xrequest package and monitor your project's dependencies for any signs of malicious activity. You can also utilize tools like Vulert to monitor your package-lock.json file for vulnerabilities in real-time. To check if your application is affected by this vulnerability, visit the Vulert playground at https://vulert.com/scanner without any signup.
Conclusion
The unconscious_wildfowl_0xrequest package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate npm's publishing system. It is crucial for developers to be vigilant about the packages they use and to take immediate action to remove any compromised packages. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in monitoring and alerting for such vulnerabilities in real-time.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at exploiting npm's publishing system.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code into your application, compromising its security and integrity.
You should uninstall the unconscious_wildfowl_0xrequest package immediately and monitor your dependencies for any other vulnerabilities.
Yes, regularly update your dependencies, use trusted packages, and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities.
You can find detailed information about this vulnerability in the Open Source Vulnerability database or by visiting the Vulert website.