Malicious Code Injection in distant_whitefish_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-101642: Malicious code in distant_whitefish_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The distant_whitefish_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, to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. Its functionality is compromised due to the presence of malicious scripts that manipulate package metadata.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the distant_whitefish_z3n package originates from malicious code that modifies the package.json file. This code removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of variants. The primary risk is the pollution of the npm registry, which can affect developers' ability to find legitimate packages and may lead to security risks if these malicious packages are inadvertently used in projects.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall distant_whitefish_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, avoid using the distant_whitefish_z3n package and monitor your project for any dependencies that may have inadvertently included it. You can also use tools like Vulert to monitor your application for vulnerabilities in real-time.
Conclusion
The distant_whitefish_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and pollutes the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to uninstall this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert to ensure the integrity and security of their applications.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies package metadata, which can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and potential security risks.
You should uninstall the distant_whitefish_z3n package immediately and check your project for any references to it.
Yes, you can use Vulert to monitor your application for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time without needing to access the code.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
