React Vulnerability Unleashes Crypto Wallet Drainers—Here’s What You Need to Know
Another day, another exploit—only this time it's hitting closer to home for developers. A newly uncovered vulnerability in React, the JavaScript library powering countless web applications, is being actively weaponized to drain cryptocurrency wallets.
How the Drain Works
The flaw doesn't attack blockchain protocols directly. Instead, it targets the front-end—the user interface you interact with. Malicious actors are injecting code into vulnerable React-based dApp (decentralized application) interfaces. Once a user connects their wallet and approves a transaction, the exploit silently reroutes funds to the attacker's address. It's a classic case of exploiting trust in a legitimate-looking application.
The Scale of the Threat
Security firms are reporting a measurable surge in these 'wallet drainer' kits on dark web forums since the vulnerability's details circulated. The kits are being commoditized—sold as easy-to-use scripts, lowering the barrier for entry for would-be thieves. The potential attack surface is vast, given React's dominance in web3 development.
A Necessary Reality Check
This isn't a flaw in Bitcoin or Ethereum's code. It's a stark reminder that in crypto, your security is only as strong as the weakest link in the chain—and that often means the website you're clicking on. It's the digital equivalent of a beautifully designed bank with a vault door made of plywood. Always verify the URL, use hardware wallets for significant sums, and revoke unnecessary token approvals regularly.
For the crypto bulls, this is a frustrating but familiar speed bump. The infrastructure is still being built, and these incidents ultimately force stronger security practices industry-wide. Just another reason the 'not your keys, not your crypto' mantra isn't going anywhere. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go check my wallet permissions—and maybe move some funds to a place where the only thing getting drained is my coffee cup.
Unpatched React servers risk remote code execution attacks
The React team issued an advisory stating that the vulnerability, known as React2Shell and listed as CVE-2025-55182, allows attackers to remotely execute code on compromised servers without requiring authentication. React’s maintainers reported the vulnerability on December 3 and assigned it the highest possible severity score.
According to the React team, CVE-2025-55182, affects the react-server-dom-parcel, react-server-dom-turbopack, and react-server-dom-webpack packages in versions 19.0, 19.1.0, 19.1.1, and 19.2.0.
Crypto Drainers using React CVE-2025-55182
We are observing a big uptick in drainers uploaded to legitimate (crypto) websites through exploitation of the recent React CVE.
All websites should review front-end code for any suspicious assets NOW.
— Security Alliance (@_SEAL_Org) December 13, 2025
SEAL urged that “All websites should review front-end code for any suspicious assets NOW.” The SEAL further stated that users should exercise caution when signing any crypto-related permission signature, as all websites, not just those using Web3 protocols, are vulnerable.
According to SEAL, all web development teams should scan hosts for CVE-2025-55182 and see if their code is unexpectedly loading assets from unknown hosts. Seal further instructed that teams should confirm the wallet displays the correct recipient on the signature signing request. The teams should also determine whether any of the “Scripts” loaded by their code are obfuscated JavaScript.
Shortly after the disclosure of CVE-2025-55182, SEAl found two more vulnerabilities in React Server Components while testing the previous patch. According to the React blog, SEAL disclosed CVE-2025-55184 and CVE-2025-67779 (CVSS 7.5), which are identified as Denial of Service and High Severity vulnerabilities. Next, SEAL disclosed CVE-2025-55183 (CVSS 5.3) which the researchers identified as Source Code Exposure and Medium Severity.
The React team advised that all websites should upgrade immediately due to the seriousness of the recently revealed vulnerabilities.
According to JS’s advisory, the denial-of-service vulnerability, identified as CVE-2025-55184, allows attackers to create malicious HTTP requests and send them to any App Router or Server Function endpoint. The report further explained that these requests create an endless loop that hangs the server process and prevents future HTTP requests from being served.
According to the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS), CVE-2025-55184 carries a high severity score of 7.5 out of 10.
CVE-2025-55183, the second source code leakage vulnerability, has a medium severity rating of 5.3 out of 10.
According to Next.js, the exploit chain WOULD be similar. Next.js explained that a susceptible endpoint receives a specially constructed HTTP request from the attacker, which returns the source code of any Server Function. Next. js team cautioned that hardcoded secrets and the company’s logic could be exposed by disclosing generated source code.
Crypto drainers refine evasion tactics for stealthy crypto theft
The rise in drainers, facilitated by the React vulnerability, coincides with the testing of new strategies by crypto-stealing drainer operators and their affiliates to evade detection and exploit crypto wallets.
According to crypto security specialists from the Security Alliance (SEAL), drainer affiliates are now utilizing high-reputation domains for landing pages and payload hosting, re-registering previously valid domains, and implementing sophisticated fingerprinting techniques. The Security researchers claimed that the goal is to disseminate crypto-drainers, a harmful piece of JavaScript that is injected into phishing websites, and thwart security researchers.
SEAL said that evasion tactics vary among affiliates of a particular drainer family and are not consistently enforced at the drainer service level.
In a different cryptocurrency crime scenario, DeFi protocol AEVO (previously Ribbon Finance) announced on Sunday that $2.3 million had been drained from its vaults. DeFi creator Anton Cheng claimed that an updated Oracle code, which made it possible for anyone to set prices for new assets, was the primary cause of the breach.
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