Malicious Code Injection in condemned_swallow_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-93716: Malicious code in condemned_swallow_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The condemned_swallow_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 the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the presence of malicious code within the condemned_swallow_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. The ramifications include pollution of the npm registry, potential security risks for developers using these packages, and a degradation of trust in the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall condemned_swallow_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 manually remove the condemned_swallow_z3n package from your project by executing the following command: npm uninstall condemned_swallow_z3n. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The condemned_swallow_z3n package contains malicious code that poses a significant risk to developers and the integrity of the npm registry. It is crucial to remove this package from your projects and utilize tools like Vulert to stay informed about potential vulnerabilities.
See every vulnerability recorded for condemned_swallow_z3n →
FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to automate the generation and publication of derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially leading to security vulnerabilities and pollution of the npm registry.
You can use the Vulert playground to check for vulnerabilities in your application without any signup required.
You should uninstall the condemned_swallow_z3n package immediately and monitor your project for any further vulnerabilities.
Regularly monitor your dependencies using tools like Vulert and keep your packages updated to the latest versions.
