Malicious Code Injection in assistant_pig_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-99641: Malicious code in assistant_pig_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The assistant_pig_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate the distribution of software, but it has been compromised to include malicious scripts that manipulate package metadata. The vulnerability arises from the package's ability to modify its own configuration, which can lead to unauthorized actions and pollution of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the assistant_pig_z3n package is characterized by the presence of malicious code that alters the package.json file. This code removes private flags, changes version numbers, and generates random package names, which are then republished to inflate developer reputation scores. The origin of this issue is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with such malicious packages. The ramifications include potential security risks for developers who unknowingly use these packages, as well as the degradation of the npm ecosystem due to the proliferation of spammy packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall assistant_pig_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 avoid using the assistant_pig_z3n package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at https://vulert.com/scanner without any signup.
Conclusion
The assistant_pig_z3n package has been identified as containing malicious code that poses a significant risk to developers and the npm ecosystem. 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_pig_z3n package is an npm package that was part of the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to distribute software but has been compromised with malicious code.
The malicious code modifies the package.json file, removing private flags and changing version numbers, which can lead to unauthorized republishing and pollution of the npm registry.
You should uninstall the assistant_pig_z3n package immediately using the command: npm uninstall assistant_pig_z3n, and check for alternative packages.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just package-lock.json.
You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner without any signup.
