Malicious Code Injection in artistic_turtle_z3n: A Threat to npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-99621: Malicious code in artistic_turtle_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package artistic_turtle_z3n is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate the creation 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 its integrity and the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in artistic_turtle_z3n originates from its involvement in a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. The malicious payload modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. This behavior not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages, leading to potential security breaches and loss of trust in the ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall artistic_turtle_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 remove the artistic_turtle_z3n package from your project by executing the following command: npm uninstall artistic_turtle_z3n. This will prevent any malicious code from executing while you assess the situation.
Conclusion
The artistic_turtle_z3n package has been identified as containing malicious code that poses a significant threat to the npm ecosystem. It is crucial for developers to take immediate action by updating or removing the package to safeguard their projects. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in monitoring for such vulnerabilities in the future.
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FAQ
artistic_turtle_z3n is an npm package involved in the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to publish derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the injection of malicious code, potentially compromising your project's security and integrity.
You should uninstall the package immediately and check for any updates or patches that may be available.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just your package-lock.json. You can check your application for vulnerabilities at the Vulert playground without any signup.
Regularly update your dependencies, use tools like Vulert for monitoring, and review package integrity before installation.
