Malicious Code Injection in consistent_scorpion_z3n: npm Package Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-93745: Malicious code in consistent_scorpion_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'consistent_scorpion_z3n' is part of a series of npm packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. The malicious nature of this package lies in its ability to modify critical files and continuously republish variants, thereby polluting the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
This vulnerability originates from the package's design to include autopublish scripts that manipulate the package.json file. It removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, which can lead to a significant increase in spammy packages in the npm registry. The ramifications include potential security risks for developers who unknowingly use these packages, as well as damage to the integrity of the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall consistent_scorpion_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 'consistent_scorpion_z3n' package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The 'consistent_scorpion_z3n' package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package files and floods the npm registry with spam. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their projects for similar vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert.
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FAQ
The package contains malicious code that modifies package.json files and publishes spammy variants to the npm registry.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
You should remove the 'consistent_scorpion_z3n' package from your project immediately to mitigate any risks.
Currently, there is no patched version available for 'consistent_scorpion_z3n'. It is advisable to remove the package entirely.
Using this package can lead to security vulnerabilities, including the risk of your project being associated with spammy and malicious packages in the npm registry.
