Malicious Code Injection in characteristic_lizard_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-100337: Malicious code in characteristic_lizard_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The characteristic_lizard_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 scripts that compromise its integrity and the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from malicious code embedded within the characteristic_lizard_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 security breaches in their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall characteristic_lizard_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary measure, avoid using the characteristic_lizard_z3n package and monitor your project's dependencies for any instances of this package. You can also utilize tools like Vulert to scan your package-lock.json file for vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The characteristic_lizard_z3n package poses a significant security risk due to the malicious code it contains. It is crucial for developers to remove this package from their projects and monitor for any vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert. Staying informed and proactive can help maintain the integrity of your applications.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, removes private flags, and can lead to the republishing of compromised packages, which may introduce security risks.
You should uninstall the characteristic_lizard_z3n package immediately and check for any dependencies that may be affected.
You can use Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file for vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access or installation.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without signing up.
