Malicious Code Detected in active_urial_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-99100: Malicious code in active_urial_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The active_urial_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate the automatic generation and publishing of derivative packages, which can inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. However, it has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises its integrity and the security of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the active_urial_z3n package, which includes scripts that modify the package.json file to remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially impacting other developers and users relying on legitimate packages. The malicious payload can compromise the security of applications that depend on this package, leading to reputational damage and operational risks.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall active_urial_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can avoid using the active_urial_z3n package in your project. If it is already included, remove it from your package.json and run npm install to clean up your dependencies.
Conclusion
The active_urial_z3n package has been identified as containing malicious code that poses a significant risk to developers and users within the npm ecosystem. It is crucial to remove this package from your projects and monitor for any updates or patches. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your applications.
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FAQ
The active_urial_z3n package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to automate the publishing of derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, removes private flags, and generates random package names, which can lead to security vulnerabilities and pollution of the npm registry.
You should remove the active_urial_z3n package from your project and ensure that your dependencies are clean by running npm install.
Yes, you can use Vulert to monitor and alert in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. You can check your application for vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground without any signup.
Regularly update your dependencies, monitor for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert, and review your package-lock.json file for any suspicious packages.
