Malicious Code Vulnerability in wasteful_mule_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-110663: Malicious code in wasteful_mule_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 wasteful_mule_0xrequest package is part of a series of npm packages that emerged during the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. This behavior not only clutters the npm registry but also poses significant security risks due to the malicious code embedded within them.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the wasteful_mule_0xrequest package originates from its malicious intent to modify the package.json file by removing private flags and changing version numbers. It generates random package names, often themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants to pollute the npm registry. This behavior can lead to security breaches, as it compromises the integrity of the npm ecosystem and can potentially expose users to malicious code.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall wasteful_mule_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 a temporary workaround, you can avoid using the wasteful_mule_0xrequest package and any other related packages that may have been published during the tea.xyz campaign. Regularly audit your dependencies using tools like npm audit to identify and mitigate risks from malicious packages.
Conclusion
The wasteful_mule_0xrequest package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate the npm registry. It is crucial to remove this package and any related dependencies from your projects to maintain the integrity and security of your applications. Regular audits and monitoring using tools like Vulert can help safeguard against such vulnerabilities.
See every vulnerability recorded for wasteful_mule_0xrequest →
FAQ
It is an npm package that is part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores by publishing derivative packages with random names.
The vulnerability can compromise the integrity of your application by introducing malicious code, which may lead to security breaches and data exposure.
You can use the Vulert platform to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Visit Vulert Scanner to check your application without any signup.
You should uninstall the wasteful_mule_0xrequest package immediately and audit your dependencies to ensure no other malicious packages are present.
Yes, tools like npm audit and Vulert can help you identify and manage vulnerabilities in your open-source dependencies.
