Malicious Code Injection in deep_roadrunner_z3n: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-101260: Malicious code in deep_roadrunner_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package deep_roadrunner_z3n is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package appears to be associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, notorious for flooding npm with malicious packages. These packages often contain scripts designed to manipulate npm registry entries, thereby inflating developer reputation scores through deceptive practices.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in deep_roadrunner_z3n arises from its inclusion in a campaign that deploys malicious scripts (auto.js, autopublish.js, etc.) to modify package.json files. These scripts remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of variants that pollute the npm registry. This not only compromises the integrity of the npm ecosystem but also poses risks to developers relying on these packages for legitimate purposes.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall deep_roadrunner_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary measure, you can avoid using deep_roadrunner_z3n and any packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. Regularly audit your dependencies to ensure that no malicious packages are included in your project.
Conclusion
The deep_roadrunner_z3n package poses a significant threat to the npm ecosystem due to its malicious code designed to manipulate package metadata. It is crucial for developers to be vigilant and remove any instances of this package from their projects to maintain security and integrity.
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FAQ
deep_roadrunner_z3n is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at manipulating the npm registry.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code into your project, potentially compromising its security and integrity.
You should uninstall the package immediately using the command: npm uninstall deep_roadrunner_z3n.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. You can check your application for vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground without any signup.
There are no known patches for deep_roadrunner_z3n, and it is recommended to avoid using this package entirely.
