Malicious Code Injection in delicate_snake_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-93965: Malicious code in delicate_snake_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The delicate_snake_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with malicious packages. These packages often contain scripts designed to manipulate package metadata and inflate developer reputation scores, posing a significant risk to developers and users alike.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the delicate_snake_z3n package originates from its association with a malicious campaign that utilizes autopublish scripts to generate and publish derivative packages with randomized names. This manipulation modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and continuously republishing variants, which can lead to pollution of the npm registry and compromise the integrity of the software supply chain.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall delicate_snake_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary measure, you can avoid using the delicate_snake_z3n package and any other packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. Regularly audit your project's dependencies to identify and remove any potentially malicious packages.
Conclusion
The delicate_snake_z3n package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate package metadata. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and regularly audit their dependencies to maintain the integrity of their applications. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in monitoring and alerting for such vulnerabilities in real-time.
See every vulnerability recorded for delicate_snake_z3n →
FAQ
The delicate_snake_z3n package is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at manipulating package metadata for token rewards.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file for vulnerabilities. Visit the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check your application without any signup.
Using compromised packages can lead to security vulnerabilities, data breaches, and the potential for your application to be flagged for malicious activity.
Regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert for real-time monitoring, and stay informed about the latest security advisories in the open-source community.
Immediately uninstall the delicate_snake_z3n package and any associated packages. Review your project for any other dependencies that may be compromised.
