Malicious Code Injection in cool_baboon_z3n: A Threat to npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-93810: Malicious code in cool_baboon_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'cool_baboon_z3n' is part of a series of npm packages that have been associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to manipulate the npm registry by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. This behavior is intended to inflate developer reputation scores for rewards in the tea protocol, making it a significant concern for developers relying on npm for package management.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from malicious code embedded within the 'cool_baboon_z3n' package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, primarily themed around Indonesian culture. The malicious payload continuously republishes these variants, leading to pollution of the npm registry and potential security risks for developers and their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall cool_baboon_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 'cool_baboon_z3n' package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, regularly audit your npm packages using tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The 'cool_baboon_z3n' package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that manipulates the npm registry. Developers should take immediate action to remove this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert. Staying informed and proactive is essential in maintaining the security of your applications.
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FAQ
The 'cool_baboon_z3n' package is an npm package that has been identified as malicious, designed to manipulate the npm registry for token rewards.
The malicious code can alter your package.json, remove private flags, and republish variants, which can lead to security vulnerabilities and pollution of the npm registry.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
If you have installed 'cool_baboon_z3n', you should uninstall it immediately using 'npm uninstall cool_baboon_z3n' and audit your project for any other malicious packages.
Yes, Vulert provides a service that monitors and alerts you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just your package-lock.json.
