Malicious Code Vulnerability in Unnecessary Leech 0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-110164: Malicious code in unnecessary_leech_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The 'unnecessary_leech_0xrequest' package is part of a series of npm packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to manipulate the npm registry by generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. This behavior is intended to inflate developer reputation scores for rewards in the tea protocol. The package's functionality is compromised due to its malicious intent, making it a significant risk for developers and users alike.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious design of the 'unnecessary_leech_0xrequest' package, which includes scripts that modify the package.json file to remove private flags, alter version numbers, and create random package names. This results in the continuous republishing of variants that pollute the npm registry. The ramifications include potential security risks for applications using this package, as it can lead to unauthorized access or manipulation of the application environment.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall unnecessary_leech_0xrequestIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a workaround, you can manually delete the 'unnecessary_leech_0xrequest' package from your node_modules directory and ensure that it is not referenced in your package.json file. Use the following command to uninstall it: npm uninstall unnecessary_leech_0xrequest.
Conclusion
The 'unnecessary_leech_0xrequest' package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious design aimed at manipulating the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their applications for any unauthorized changes. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in identifying and managing such vulnerabilities effectively.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with a malicious campaign that aims to inflate developer reputation scores through the creation of numerous derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized modifications in your application, potentially compromising security and stability.
You should remove the package immediately and check for any unauthorized changes in your application.
Yes, you can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities without needing to sign up.
