Malicious Code Injection in bare_kangaroo_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-99801: Malicious code in bare_kangaroo_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The bare_kangaroo_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 automatic generation and publication of derivative packages, which can inflate developer reputation scores. However, it has been identified as containing malicious scripts that compromise its integrity and the security of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the bare_kangaroo_z3n package stems from its inclusion in a campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. The malicious code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of these variants. This not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages, potentially leading to further exploitation.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall bare_kangaroo_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 bare_kangaroo_z3n package and monitor your dependencies for any malicious activity. Regularly check your package-lock.json file for any unauthorized changes and consider using tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The bare_kangaroo_z3n package has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises the integrity of the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package from their projects and monitor their dependencies for any signs of exploitation. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in maintaining the security of your applications.
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FAQ
The bare_kangaroo_z3n package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and may expose your project to further risks if compromised packages are used.
You should uninstall the bare_kangaroo_z3n package immediately and monitor your project for any unauthorized changes.
Yes, you can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
