Malicious Code Injection in assistant_bear_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-93282: Malicious code in assistant_bear_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The assistant_bear_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. However, this package has been identified as containing malicious code that modifies its own package.json file and repurposes it for nefarious activities.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the assistant_bear_z3n package stems from its inclusion in a series of malicious packages that flood the npm registry. The malicious code is designed to remove private flags from package.json, alter version numbers, and generate random names for derivative packages. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of the affected package but also pollutes the npm registry, potentially leading to security risks for developers who unknowingly use these compromised packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall assistant_bear_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a workaround, you can avoid using the assistant_bear_z3n package altogether. If it is already included in your project, remove it by running: npm uninstall assistant_bear_z3n. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities in real-time.
Conclusion
The assistant_bear_z3n package has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises its integrity and poses risks to developers. It is crucial to remove this package from your projects and monitor for similar vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert.
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FAQ
The assistant_bear_z3n package is an npm package that is part of a token reward campaign, designed to automatically generate and publish derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, removes private flags, and can lead to the publication of compromised packages, which may pose security risks.
You should uninstall the assistant_bear_z3n package immediately and monitor your project for any other potentially compromised packages.
Yes, you can use Vulert to check your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities without needing to install any additional software.
Regularly monitor your dependencies using tools like Vulert, and keep your packages updated to the latest secure versions.
Habilume
Habit tracker with a companion that grows with you
Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
