Malicious Code Injection in democratic_viper_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-93985: Malicious code in democratic_viper_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The democratic_viper_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript development. This package is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been associated with malicious activities aimed at inflating developer reputation scores. The package's functionality is compromised by the presence of scripts that manipulate its metadata and behavior, making it a target for developers who may unknowingly install it.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the democratic_viper_z3n package stems from malicious code that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags and change version numbers. It generates random package names, often themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants to pollute the npm registry. This behavior can lead to a loss of control over the package's integrity and reputation, potentially affecting projects that rely on it. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which exploits npm's publishing mechanisms.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall democratic_viper_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 democratic_viper_z3n package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can use the following command to uninstall the package: npm uninstall democratic_viper_z3n.
Conclusion
The democratic_viper_z3n package contains a serious vulnerability due to malicious code that alters its behavior and metadata. It is essential for developers to remove this package from their projects and monitor their dependencies for any potential threats. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help ensure the security of your applications.
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FAQ
The democratic_viper_z3n package is an npm package that has been linked to malicious activities aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through the tea.xyz token reward campaign.
The vulnerability can compromise the integrity of your project by allowing malicious code to execute, potentially leading to data loss or exposure.
If you have installed the democratic_viper_z3n package, it is crucial to uninstall it immediately and check for any alternative packages.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just package-lock.json. You can also check your application against known vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
