Critical Malicious Code Vulnerability in request-helmet Package

request-helmet Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

29/07/2025
CRITICAL
No i
Critical
Not published

MAL-2025-6342: Malicious code in request-helmet (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓

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Background

The request-helmet package is an npm module designed to enhance the security of HTTP headers in Node.js applications. It provides a set of middleware functions that help protect applications from various web vulnerabilities. However, this package has been identified to contain malicious code that compromises the security of any system it is installed on, making it a significant risk for developers and organizations relying on it.

Vulnerability Detail

The vulnerability originates from the inclusion of embedded malicious code within the request-helmet package. This code can lead to full compromise of any system where the package is installed, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive data, secrets, and keys. The ramifications of this vulnerability are severe, as it can result in data breaches, unauthorized system control, and potential exploitation of the affected systems by malicious actors.

How To Fix

This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.

npm uninstall request-helmet

If 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

Currently, there are no effective workarounds to mitigate the risks posed by the malicious code in request-helmet. The best course of action is to uninstall the package immediately and replace it with a secure alternative.

Conclusion

The request-helmet package has been identified as containing malicious code that poses a significant risk to any system it is installed on. Immediate action is required to uninstall the package and secure any exposed secrets. Developers should seek alternative packages to ensure the security of their applications.

See every vulnerability recorded for request-helmet →

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FAQ

Request-helmet is an npm package that helps secure HTTP headers in Node.js applications, providing middleware to protect against various web vulnerabilities.

The malicious code can compromise your system, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive data and potentially leading to data breaches.

You should immediately uninstall the package using npm uninstall request-helmet and rotate any secrets or keys that may have been exposed.

No, there is currently no patched version of request-helmet available. It is recommended to find a secure alternative.

You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just the package-lock.json file. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner without any signup.

How To Fix

This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.

npm uninstall request-helmet

If 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 →

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