Malicious Code Injection in asleep_starfish_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-93280: Malicious code in asleep_starfish_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The asleep_starfish_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. It is designed to facilitate the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages, which can inflate developer reputation scores. This package is particularly vulnerable due to its inclusion of autopublish scripts that manipulate package metadata.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious design of the asleep_starfish_z3n package, 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 the ecosystem. The malicious payload can affect developers by inflating reputation scores through deceptive practices.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall asleep_starfish_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 asleep_starfish_z3n package from your project by executing: npm uninstall asleep_starfish_z3n. This will prevent any malicious activity associated with the package until a fix is available.
Conclusion
The asleep_starfish_z3n package contains a significant vulnerability that allows for the injection of malicious code, affecting the npm ecosystem. It is crucial for developers to take immediate action by uninstalling the package and monitoring their projects for any adverse effects. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in identifying and managing such vulnerabilities effectively.
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FAQ
The asleep_starfish_z3n package is an npm package involved in the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to automate the publication of derivative packages.
This vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and may compromise the integrity of your project by introducing malicious code.
You should uninstall the package immediately and monitor your project for any unusual behavior. Additionally, consider updating to a patched version if available.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. You can check your application using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner without any signup.
Regularly audit your dependencies and use tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in your open-source packages.
