Malicious Code Injection in xenogeneic_ox-notthedev Package
Summary
MAL-2025-111115: Malicious code in xenogeneic_ox-notthedev (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The xenogeneic_ox-notthedev package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages, which can inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. However, it has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises its integrity.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the package's malicious payload, which modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially affecting other packages and developers. The origin of this issue is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign that exploits npm for malicious purposes.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall xenogeneic_ox-notthedevIf 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 avoid using the xenogeneic_ox-notthedev package and monitor your dependencies for any malicious packages. Regularly check your package-lock.json file for any unauthorized changes.
Conclusion
The xenogeneic_ox-notthedev package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters project files and repopulates the npm registry with unauthorized packages. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor your dependencies to maintain the integrity of your projects.
See every vulnerability recorded for xenogeneic_ox-notthedev →
FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The malicious code can alter your package.json file, potentially leading to unauthorized package republishing and pollution of the npm registry.
You should uninstall the package immediately using 'npm uninstall xenogeneic_ox-notthedev' to prevent any malicious activity.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without signing up.
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Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
