Malicious Code Injection in circular_krill_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-93556: Malicious code in circular_krill_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The circular_krill_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, often used for various JavaScript applications. It is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood npm with packages that manipulate developer reputation scores. This package, like others in the campaign, is designed to generate and publish derivative packages with altered names and metadata, posing significant risks to developers and the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the circular_krill_z3n package stems from its malicious code that modifies the package.json file. This code removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of these variants. This behavior not only pollutes the npm registry but also compromises the security of applications relying on this package, potentially allowing for further exploitation.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall circular_krill_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 circular_krill_z3n package and replace it with an alternative package that provides similar functionality without the malicious behavior. Always ensure to review the package's reputation and security status before installation.
Conclusion
The circular_krill_z3n package presents a significant security risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and publishes unwanted derivatives. It is essential for developers to remove this package and monitor their applications for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert.
See every vulnerability recorded for circular_krill_z3n →
FAQ
The circular_krill_z3n package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, known for generating and publishing malicious derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the modification of your package.json file, potentially compromising your application's integrity and security by introducing unwanted packages.
If you have installed the circular_krill_z3n package, it is crucial to uninstall it immediately and check your application for any unintended changes.
Yes, tools like Vulert can monitor your package-lock.json file for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time, alerting you to any issues without requiring access to your code.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
