Hackers Exploit React Vulnerability to Plant Crypto Drainers as Attacks Surge Across Web

A critical vulnerability in React, one of the world’s most widely used JavaScript libraries, is being actively exploited by hackers to inject crypto-draining malware into legitimate websites — a development that has alarmed cybersecurity experts and Web3 teams alike.

According to cybersecurity nonprofit Security Alliance (SEAL), attackers are abusing the flaw to silently siphon digital assets from unsuspecting users, turning trusted platforms into hidden attack vectors. The vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2025-55182, enables unauthenticated remote code execution, allowing malicious actors to upload and run arbitrary code without permission.

The issue was initially discovered by white-hat hacker Lachlan Davidson, who responsibly disclosed the flaw to the React development team earlier this month.

SEAL says it has observed a sharp increase in wallet-draining attacks tied directly to exploitation of the React flaw, with malicious scripts being injected into both crypto-native and non-crypto websites. In a public warning, the organization urged immediate action, noting that attackers are actively targeting front-end infrastructure to compromise users at the transaction-signing stage.

The nonprofit emphasized that the threat extends well beyond Web3 protocols. Any website running a vulnerable React configuration could be affected, making the exploit a broader web security issue rather than a niche crypto problem.

Users are being urged to exercise heightened caution when signing any wallet permit requests, as attackers often rely on deceptive pop-ups or fake reward prompts to trick victims into authorizing malicious transactions.

Warning Signs and Immediate Security Checks

According to SEAL, one of the earliest indicators of compromise is a website suddenly being flagged by browsers or security tools as a potential phishing risk. In many cases, these warnings appear without any obvious changes to site content, masking the presence of embedded drainers.

To mitigate the risk, SEAL advises site operators to immediately scan their systems for signs of CVE-2025-55182 exploitation, closely review front-end code for unfamiliar or obfuscated JavaScript assets, and verify that wallet signature prompts display the correct recipient addresses.

The group also cautioned against attempting to remove phishing warnings before confirming that all malicious code has been fully eliminated, as doing so could expose users to continued risk.

The React development team released an official patch on Dec. 3, addressing the vulnerability across affected components. Developers using react-server-dom-webpack, react-server-dom-parcel, or react-server-dom-turbopack have been strongly urged to upgrade immediately to close the attack vector.

React clarified that applications not using server-side React components or compatible bundler plugins are not impacted. However, projects relying on React Server Components remain vulnerable until the update is applied, prompting calls for urgent remediation across the ecosystem.

A Broader Reminder on Supply-Chain Security

The exploit underscores a growing trend in which attackers leverage software supply-chain vulnerabilities to scale attacks rapidly and quietly.

As crypto drainers become more sophisticated and harder to detect, security experts stress the importance of proactive audits, regular dependency updates, and rigorous front-end monitoring — not just for crypto platforms, but for all web-based services.

As SEAL warns, the line between traditional web security and crypto security continues to blur, making vigilance at every layer of the stack more critical than ever.