Malicious Code Injection in wide_cattle_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-110902: Malicious code in wide_cattle_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The wide_cattle_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. The package's functionality is compromised due to its malicious intent, making it a significant risk for developers using it.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the package's involvement in the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has led to the creation of numerous malicious packages on npm. The malicious payload alters the package.json file by removing private flags, changing version numbers, and generating random package names. This behavior not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses a risk of unintentional dependency on compromised packages, potentially leading to further security issues in applications that utilize them.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall wide_cattle_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 wide_cattle_0xrequest package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, regularly audit your dependencies using tools like npm audit to identify and address vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The wide_cattle_0xrequest package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry with compromised packages. It is crucial for developers to remove this package from their projects and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in their dependencies.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through the creation of derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the inclusion of malicious code in your application, potentially compromising its security and integrity.
You should uninstall the wide_cattle_0xrequest package immediately using the command: npm uninstall wide_cattle_0xrequest.
Yes, tools like Vulert can monitor your package-lock.json file to alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without needing to sign up.
