Malicious Code Injection in afraid_quelea_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-93164: Malicious code in afraid_quelea_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The 'afraid_quelea_z3n' package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that aims to inflate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages. The malicious nature of this package lies in its ability to modify essential files and continuously pollute the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the 'afraid_quelea_z3n' package stems from its inclusion in a broader malicious campaign associated with the tea.xyz token reward initiative. The package contains scripts designed to auto-generate and publish derivative packages with randomized names, which can lead to the removal of private flags in package.json files, alteration of version numbers, and the creation of numerous unwanted packages in the npm registry. This not only compromises the integrity of the npm ecosystem but also poses risks to developers who may unknowingly use these tainted packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall afraid_quelea_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 'afraid_quelea_z3n' package and instead look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can monitor your project for any dependencies that may have been affected by this vulnerability.
Conclusion
The 'afraid_quelea_z3n' package poses significant risks due to its malicious nature, which can compromise the integrity of your project and the npm ecosystem. It is crucial to take immediate action by uninstalling the package and monitoring your dependencies for any vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
The 'afraid_quelea_z3n' package is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores.
This vulnerability can lead to the modification of your package.json file, removal of private flags, and the creation of unwanted packages, potentially compromising your project's integrity.
You should uninstall the 'afraid_quelea_z3n' package immediately and check for any other affected packages in your project.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just package-lock.json. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground without any signup.
Regularly update your dependencies, monitor for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert, and review your package.json for any suspicious packages.
