Malicious Code Injection in vicious_koi_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-110462: Malicious code in vicious_koi_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The vicious_koi_0xrequest package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate automated publishing of derivative packages, which can inflate developer reputation scores. However, it has been identified as containing malicious code that alters its own package.json file and generates numerous variants to pollute the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious code embedded within the vicious_koi_0xrequest package. It modifies the package.json file by removing private flags and changing version numbers, allowing it to republish itself under random names. This behavior can lead to significant pollution of the npm registry, making it difficult for developers to find legitimate packages and potentially compromising their projects with untrusted code.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall vicious_koi_0xrequestIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary measure, avoid using the vicious_koi_0xrequest package and monitor your project for any dependencies that may have been affected by this malicious code. Regularly check your package-lock.json file for any unauthorized changes.
Conclusion
The vicious_koi_0xrequest package contains malicious code that poses a significant risk to developers by altering package metadata and polluting the npm registry. It is crucial to remove this package from your projects and monitor for any potential impacts. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your applications.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to automate the publishing of derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file and can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, making it harder to find legitimate packages.
You should uninstall the package immediately using 'npm uninstall vicious_koi_0xrequest' and check for any unauthorized changes in your project.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using your package-lock.json file.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without needing to sign up.
