Malicious Code Exploit in vast_dragon_0xrequest Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-110369: Malicious code in vast_dragon_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The vast_dragon_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 malicious nature of this package poses significant risks to developers and the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the package's design to include autopublish scripts that automatically modify the package.json file. This includes removing private flags, changing version numbers, and generating random package names. The continuous republishing of these variants can lead to pollution of the npm registry, making it difficult for developers to find legitimate packages. The malicious payload can compromise the security of applications relying on this package, potentially leading to further exploitation.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall vast_dragon_0xrequestIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
As an immediate workaround, you can prevent the installation of this package by removing it from your package.json and running the following command: npm uninstall vast_dragon_0xrequest. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The vast_dragon_0xrequest package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious design aimed at exploiting npm's publishing capabilities. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the integrity of your applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for vast_dragon_0xrequest →
FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to exploit npm's publishing features.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and compromise the security of applications that rely on this package.
You should uninstall the vast_dragon_0xrequest package immediately and monitor for any updates or patches.
Yes, Vulert allows you to monitor your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access or installation.
Regularly audit your dependencies and use tools like Vulert to stay informed about vulnerabilities in your open-source packages.
