Malicious Code Vulnerability in applicable_puma_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-99522: Malicious code in applicable_puma_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The applicable_puma_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and has been identified as a component of the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate token rewards through the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages. However, it has been compromised to include malicious scripts that can harm the integrity of the npm registry and the applications that depend on it.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the inclusion of malicious code within the applicable_puma_z3n package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, which leads to the pollution of the npm registry. The malicious payload is designed to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards, posing significant risks to developers and users relying on the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall applicable_puma_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 prevent the installation of the applicable_puma_z3n package by using the npm shrinkwrap feature or by maintaining a strict package-lock.json file that excludes this package.
Conclusion
The applicable_puma_z3n package contains malicious code that poses a significant threat to the npm ecosystem and applications that utilize it. It is crucial to uninstall this package and monitor your projects for any vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your open-source dependencies.
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FAQ
The applicable_puma_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which aims to incentivize developers through token rewards.
The malicious code can modify your package.json file, remove private flags, and publish random packages, potentially leading to security vulnerabilities and reputation damage.
You should uninstall the applicable_puma_z3n package immediately and monitor your project for any unexpected behavior or vulnerabilities.
Yes, you can use Vulert to monitor your project for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time by analyzing your package-lock.json file. Visit https://vulert.com for more information.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
