Malicious Code Injection in apparent_tarsier_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-93251: Malicious code in apparent_tarsier_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The apparent_tarsier_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 in the apparent_tarsier_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 affecting other developers and users relying on npm packages. The source of this vulnerability is linked to a campaign that exploits npm for fraudulent gains.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall apparent_tarsier_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 prevent the installation of this malicious package by using npm's package-lock.json file to lock down your dependencies. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities. You can check if your application is affected by visiting the Vulert playground at https://vulert.com/scanner.
Conclusion
The apparent_tarsier_z3n package contains a serious vulnerability that can compromise the integrity of the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to uninstall this package and monitor their projects for any vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can provide additional security by alerting you to potential issues in real-time.
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FAQ
The apparent_tarsier_z3n package is an npm package associated with a token reward campaign that has been identified to contain malicious code.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, affecting the integrity of your application's dependencies and potentially introducing security risks.
You should uninstall the apparent_tarsier_z3n package immediately and monitor your project for any further vulnerabilities.
Using tools like Vulert can help monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities in real-time, allowing you to take action before issues arise.
You can find detailed information about this vulnerability in the official npm advisory or by visiting the Vulert website.
