Malicious Code Injection in unemployed_pony_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-110078: Malicious code in unemployed_pony_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The unemployed_pony_0xrequest package is part of the npm ecosystem, primarily used for various JavaScript applications. It is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been linked to a series of malicious packages that flood the npm registry. These packages often contain scripts designed to manipulate the npm ecosystem for fraudulent purposes, such as inflating developer reputation scores.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the unemployed_pony_0xrequest package stems from its malicious code that modifies the package.json file. This code removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, which leads to the continuous republishing of these variants. The origin of this vulnerability is traced back to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which employs such tactics to manipulate the npm registry and gain undeserved visibility. The ramifications include potential security risks for applications using this package, as well as pollution of the npm registry with unwanted packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall unemployed_pony_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 remove the unemployed_pony_0xrequest package from your project by executing the following command: npm uninstall unemployed_pony_0xrequest. This will prevent any malicious code from executing in your application.
Conclusion
The unemployed_pony_0xrequest package contains malicious code that poses significant risks to applications using it. It is crucial to monitor for such vulnerabilities and take immediate action to update or remove affected packages to maintain the security and integrity of your software.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, known for containing malicious code.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially leading to security vulnerabilities and unwanted package pollution.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just your package-lock.json file.
Absolutely! You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities without any signup.
If no patched version is available, it is advisable to uninstall the package to mitigate any security risks.
