Malicious Code Injection in active_kite_z3n: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-93113: Malicious code in active_kite_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The package 'active_kite_z3n' is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with malicious packages. These packages often contain scripts designed to manipulate package metadata and inflate developer reputation scores, posing a significant risk to users and the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'active_kite_z3n' originates from its association with malicious scripts that modify the package.json file. These scripts remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of variants that pollute the npm registry. The ramifications include potential security risks for developers who unknowingly install these packages, as well as damage to the reputation of the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall active_kite_z3nIf 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
As a temporary workaround, you can avoid using the 'active_kite_z3n' package until a secure version is released. Additionally, consider using package-lock.json to monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The 'active_kite_z3n' package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata. It is essential to stay informed about such vulnerabilities and take proactive measures to secure your projects. Regularly updating packages and using monitoring tools like Vulert can help maintain the integrity of your software.
See every vulnerability recorded for active_kite_z3n →
FAQ
The 'active_kite_z3n' package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been linked to malicious activities.
This vulnerability can lead to the installation of malicious code that modifies your project's package.json, potentially compromising your project's security.
If you have installed 'active_kite_z3n', it is recommended to remove it and update your dependencies to eliminate any potential risks.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access or installation.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without signing up.
