Malicious Code Injection in determined_bat_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-101376: Malicious code in determined_bat_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The determined_bat_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, which can inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. However, its functionality is compromised by malicious code that alters package metadata.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the determined_bat_z3n package, which contains malicious scripts that modify the package.json file. These scripts remove private flags, change version numbers, and generate random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of variants that pollute the npm registry. This can result in significant reputational damage for developers and can compromise the integrity of the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall determined_bat_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 determined_bat_z3n package from your project by executing 'npm uninstall determined_bat_z3n'. This will prevent the execution of any malicious scripts associated with this package.
Conclusion
The determined_bat_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata. It is crucial to take immediate action by updating or removing the package to safeguard your project and maintain the integrity of the npm ecosystem.
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FAQ
The determined_bat_z3n package is an npm package that is part of a token reward campaign, designed to automatically publish derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the modification of your package.json file, potentially compromising your project's integrity and reputation.
You should uninstall the determined_bat_z3n package immediately and check for any unauthorized changes to your package.json file.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just package-lock.json. You can check your application for vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground without any signup.
Regularly audit your dependencies and use tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in real-time.
