Malicious Code Vulnerability in willing_squirrel_0xrequest Package
Summary
MAL-2025-110939: Malicious code in willing_squirrel_0xrequest (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The willing_squirrel_0xrequest package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate token rewards through various scripts that automatically publish derivative packages. However, it has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises its integrity and the security of dependent projects.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the package's malicious payload, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior is intended to inflate developer reputation scores and pollute the npm registry with derivative packages. The ramifications include potential exposure of sensitive data, unauthorized access to systems, and degradation of the npm ecosystem's reliability.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall willing_squirrel_0xrequestIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can remove the willing_squirrel_0xrequest package from your project by executing: npm uninstall willing_squirrel_0xrequest. This will prevent any malicious code from executing while you seek a more permanent solution.
Conclusion
The willing_squirrel_0xrequest package has been identified as containing malicious code that poses significant risks to projects relying on it. It is crucial to take immediate action by updating or removing the package to safeguard your application and maintain the integrity of the npm ecosystem.
See every vulnerability recorded for willing_squirrel_0xrequest →
FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to automate the publication of derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized modifications of your package.json file, potentially exposing sensitive data and compromising your project's integrity.
Yes, you can use tools like Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just your package-lock.json file.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without requiring any signup.
If updating or removing the package is not feasible, consider isolating the affected components and implementing additional security measures to mitigate risks.
