Critical Malicious Code Vulnerability in vitejs-plugin-refresh Package
Summary
MAL-2025-5970: Malicious code in vitejs-plugin-refresh (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
vitejs-plugin-refresh is an npm package designed to enhance the development experience by providing hot module replacement for Vite applications. It allows developers to see changes in real-time without needing to refresh the entire application. However, this package has been identified to contain malicious code, posing significant security risks to any system where it is installed.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the inclusion of embedded malicious code within the vitejs-plugin-refresh package. This code can compromise the security of any computer running the package, potentially allowing unauthorized access to sensitive data, secrets, and keys. Users are advised to treat any system with this package installed as fully compromised, as the malicious code may persist even after the package is removed.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall vitejs-plugin-refreshIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a workaround, consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, ensure that all secrets and keys stored on the compromised system are rotated immediately from a secure environment.
Conclusion
The vitejs-plugin-refresh package contains embedded malicious code that poses a severe security risk. Immediate action is required to remove the package and secure any compromised systems. Regular monitoring and updates are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.
See every vulnerability recorded for vitejs-plugin-refresh →
FAQ
You should remove the vitejs-plugin-refresh package immediately and rotate any sensitive information stored on the affected system.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Check your application against this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner.
Currently, the best course of action is to remove the package. If a patched version is released, you can update it to mitigate the risk.
Leaving the package installed can lead to unauthorized access to your system, data breaches, and potential control by malicious actors.
Regularly monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert, and keep your packages updated to their latest versions.
