Malicious Code Injection in adjacent_leech_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-99182: Malicious code in adjacent_leech_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The adjacent_leech_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 generation and publication of derivative packages, which can inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. However, it has been identified as containing malicious scripts that compromise its integrity and the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the adjacent_leech_z3n package stems from its inclusion in a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. These packages contain scripts that modify the package.json file to remove private flags, change version numbers, and generate random package names. This behavior not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages, leading to potential security breaches and loss of trust in the ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall adjacent_leech_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 adjacent_leech_z3n package altogether. If it is already in your project, remove it by running: npm uninstall adjacent_leech_z3n. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your package dependencies for vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The adjacent_leech_z3n package has been identified as a source of malicious code that can compromise the integrity of applications using it. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain a secure development environment.
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FAQ
The adjacent_leech_z3n package is an npm package associated with a token reward campaign that generates and publishes derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code into your project, potentially compromising security and integrity.
You should uninstall the adjacent_leech_z3n package immediately and monitor your project for any unusual behavior.
Yes, you can use Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
Regularly monitor your dependencies using tools like Vulert and keep your packages updated to the latest secure versions.
