Malicious Code Injection in dependent_yak_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-101354: Malicious code in dependent_yak_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The dependent_yak_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages, often with randomized names. It aims to inflate developer reputation scores for rewards in the tea protocol. However, its functionality has been compromised, leading to potential security risks.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the dependent_yak_z3n package stems from malicious code that modifies the package.json file. This code removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, which can lead to the pollution of the npm registry. The malicious payload is designed to continuously republish variants, which can affect the integrity of the npm ecosystem and compromise the security of applications relying on this package.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall dependent_yak_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 remove the dependent_yak_z3n package from your project by using the command: npm uninstall dependent_yak_z3n. This will prevent any malicious code from executing until a secure version is available.
Conclusion
The dependent_yak_z3n package contains a significant vulnerability due to malicious code that alters essential package configurations. It is crucial to update or remove this package to protect your application from potential security threats. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help monitor and identify vulnerabilities in your software.
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FAQ
The dependent_yak_z3n package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to automate the publication of derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially compromising your application's integrity and security by removing private flags and altering version numbers.
You should update the package to the latest patched version or uninstall it to mitigate the risks associated with the vulnerability.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software by analyzing your package-lock.json file. You can also check your application for vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground without any signup.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any code access or installation.
