Malicious Code Vulnerability in apparent_earthworm_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-99514: Malicious code in apparent_earthworm_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The apparent_earthworm_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 publication of derivative packages, which can inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. However, it has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the package's 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 harming developers' reputations and project integrity. The malicious code is designed to exploit the npm ecosystem by creating numerous derivative packages with randomized names.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall apparent_earthworm_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a workaround, you can manually remove the package from your project by executing the following command: npm uninstall apparent_earthworm_z3n. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities in real-time.
Conclusion
The apparent_earthworm_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package configurations and pollutes the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The vulnerability modifies package.json files, removes private flags, and generates random package names, leading to pollution of the npm registry.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without requiring any signup.
Currently, there is no specific patch version available for the apparent_earthworm_z3n package. It is advisable to remove the package entirely.
You should uninstall the apparent_earthworm_z3n package immediately and monitor your project for any further vulnerabilities.
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