Malicious Code Injection in unwilling_snake_0xrequest Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-110198: Malicious code in unwilling_snake_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The unwilling_snake_0xrequest package is part of the npm ecosystem, often used in JavaScript projects for various functionalities. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. This package is designed to manipulate developer reputation scores through automated publishing scripts, which can lead to significant issues for developers relying on npm for package management.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious intent behind the unwilling_snake_0xrequest package, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags and alters version numbers. It generates random package names and continuously republishes variants to pollute the npm registry. This can lead to developers inadvertently using compromised packages, resulting in security risks and potential data breaches.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall unwilling_snake_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, avoid using the unwilling_snake_0xrequest package and monitor your package-lock.json for any unauthorized changes. Regularly audit your dependencies using npm audit to identify and address vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The unwilling_snake_0xrequest package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate npm's registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their dependencies closely to maintain the integrity of their projects.
See every vulnerability recorded for unwilling_snake_0xrequest →
FAQ
It is an npm package identified as part of a malicious campaign that manipulates developer reputation scores through automated publishing.
Using this package can lead to security risks, including the potential for data breaches and reliance on compromised code.
You should uninstall the package immediately using the command: npm uninstall unwilling_snake_0xrequest.
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 any signup.
