Malicious Code Injection in assistant_ape_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-99637: Malicious code in assistant_ape_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The assistant_ape_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate token rewards but has been compromised to include malicious scripts that manipulate package metadata. Its primary function is to assist developers in managing their npm packages, but due to its vulnerabilities, it poses significant risks to users.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the assistant_ape_z3n package originates from its inclusion in a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. These packages contain scripts that automatically modify the package.json file, removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. This behavior not only inflates developer reputation scores but also pollutes the npm registry, potentially leading to security risks for users who unknowingly install these compromised packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall assistant_ape_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, users can avoid using the assistant_ape_z3n package and instead look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, users can monitor their package-lock.json file for any unauthorized changes.
Conclusion
The assistant_ape_z3n package has been identified as containing malicious code that can compromise the integrity of npm projects. Users are advised to update or remove the package to protect their applications from potential security threats. Monitoring tools like Vulert can assist in identifying vulnerabilities in real-time.
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FAQ
The assistant_ape_z3n package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to assist developers in managing their npm packages.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized modifications in your package.json file, potentially exposing your project to security risks and affecting the integrity of your dependencies.
If you have installed the assistant_ape_z3n package, it is crucial to update it to the latest version or remove it from your project to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.
Yes, you can use Vulert to monitor your project for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. Vulert uses your package-lock.json file to alert you of any vulnerabilities without requiring code access or installation.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
