Malicious Code Injection in balanced_possum_z3n: A Threat to npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-93346: Malicious code in balanced_possum_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The package 'balanced_possum_z3n' is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for managing JavaScript packages. This package has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that aims to exploit the npm registry by flooding it with derivative packages. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing scripts, which can lead to significant security risks for users and developers relying on npm packages.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'balanced_possum_z3n' originates from its association with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. The malicious code within the package modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, thereby polluting the npm registry. This can lead to unauthorized access, data leaks, and the potential for further exploitation of systems using these compromised packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall balanced_possum_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can avoid using 'balanced_possum_z3n' and any other packages associated with the tea.xyz campaign. Regularly audit your npm packages using tools like npm audit to identify and mitigate risks from malicious packages.
Conclusion
The 'balanced_possum_z3n' package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code designed to exploit the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their dependencies for any vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can aid in maintaining the security of your applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for balanced_possum_z3n →
FAQ
'balanced_possum_z3n' is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to exploit the npm registry.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access and data leaks, potentially compromising your application's security.
You can use Vulert to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Visit Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without requiring any signup.
You should uninstall the package immediately and check for any other affected packages in your project.
Yes, tools like npm audit and Vulert can help you identify and manage vulnerabilities in your npm packages.
