Malicious Code Injection in compulsory_possum_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-93695: Malicious code in compulsory_possum_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The compulsory_possum_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. It is designed to facilitate the creation and publication of derivative packages. However, this package has been identified as malicious, containing scripts that automatically generate and publish numerous variants of itself, thereby inflating developer reputation scores for token rewards. This behavior poses a significant risk to the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the inclusion of malicious code within the compulsory_possum_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 these variants. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which aims to manipulate npm's reputation system. The ramifications include potential pollution of the npm registry and risks to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall compulsory_possum_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 compulsory_possum_z3n package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, consider using npm audit to identify and address vulnerabilities in your project.
Conclusion
The compulsory_possum_z3n package contains malicious code that poses a significant risk to developers and the npm ecosystem. It is crucial to remove this package from your projects and stay vigilant by monitoring for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert. Always ensure to keep your dependencies updated and audit them regularly.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to create and publish derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially leading to the pollution of the npm registry and affecting your project's integrity.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. Visit Vulert Scanner to check your application without needing to sign up.
You should uninstall the compulsory_possum_z3n package immediately and look for alternatives. Use 'npm uninstall compulsory_possum_z3n' to remove it.
Regularly audit your dependencies using tools like npm audit and consider using Vulert to monitor your projects for vulnerabilities.
