Malicious Code Injection in aggressive_halibut_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-99252: Malicious code in aggressive_halibut_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The aggressive_halibut_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, primarily used for JavaScript development. It is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been linked to a series of malicious packages that flood the npm registry. These packages often contain scripts designed to manipulate package metadata and inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the aggressive_halibut_z3n package stems from its malicious payload, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially compromising the integrity of other packages. The origin of this vulnerability is tied to a campaign aimed at exploiting npm for token rewards, making it a significant threat to developers relying on this package.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall aggressive_halibut_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary measure, you can remove the aggressive_halibut_z3n package from your project by executing: npm uninstall aggressive_halibut_z3n. This will prevent any malicious activity associated with the package until a secure version is available.
Conclusion
The aggressive_halibut_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry. Developers should take immediate action to remove this package and monitor for updates. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in identifying and managing such vulnerabilities effectively.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, often containing malicious scripts.
It can lead to the modification of your package.json file and the pollution of the npm registry, affecting the integrity of your dependencies.
You should uninstall the package immediately and monitor for any updates or patches that may address the vulnerability.
Yes, you can use Vulert to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Visit Vulert Scanner to check your application without any signup.
Regularly audit your dependencies and use tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in real-time.
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Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
