Malicious Code Injection in changing_slug_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-93502: Malicious code in changing_slug_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The changing_slug_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 for token rewards. However, it has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises its integrity and the security of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the presence of malicious code within the changing_slug_z3n package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of variants. This behavior 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 changing_slug_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 changing_slug_z3n package and monitor your dependencies for any instances of this package. You can also use the following command to uninstall it: npm uninstall changing_slug_z3n.
Conclusion
The changing_slug_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 for any updates or patches. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in identifying vulnerabilities in open-source dependencies.
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FAQ
The changing_slug_z3n package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to automate the generation of derivative packages.
The vulnerability modifies package.json files, removes private flags, changes version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to pollution of the npm registry.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Visit the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check your application without any signup.
If you have installed the changing_slug_z3n package, it is recommended to uninstall it immediately using the command: npm uninstall changing_slug_z3n.
Currently, there is no specific patched version available for the changing_slug_z3n package. It is advisable to monitor the package for updates from the maintainers.
