Malicious Code Injection in wandering_smelt_0xrequest Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-110654: Malicious code in wandering_smelt_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The 'wandering_smelt_0xrequest' package is part of a broader set of packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to automate the generation and publication of derivative packages on the npm registry, often with randomized names. This behavior is intended to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards, but it also introduces significant risks to the integrity of the npm ecosystem.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from malicious code embedded in the 'wandering_smelt_0xrequest' package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of variants. This behavior can pollute the npm registry, making it difficult for developers to find legitimate packages and potentially exposing them to security risks. The malicious payload can also compromise the integrity of applications that depend on this package, as it may introduce unverified code into their environments.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall wandering_smelt_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 avoid using the 'wandering_smelt_0xrequest' package altogether. If it is already in use, consider replacing it with a reputable alternative that provides similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The 'wandering_smelt_0xrequest' package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and repopulates the npm registry with potentially harmful variants. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity of their applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for wandering_smelt_0xrequest →
FAQ
It is an npm package that is part of a campaign to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing of derivative packages.
The malicious code can compromise the integrity of your application by introducing unverified and potentially harmful code.
You should remove the package from your project and monitor for any updates or patches that may address the vulnerability.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just the package-lock.json file.
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