Malicious Code Injection in distinct_roundworm_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-101646: Malicious code in distinct_roundworm_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 distinct_roundworm_z3n package is part of a series of npm packages that emerged during the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to manipulate the npm registry by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. This behavior is primarily aimed at inflating developer reputation scores for rewards associated with the tea protocol. The package is not intended for legitimate use and poses significant risks to developers and their projects.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the distinct_roundworm_z3n package stems from its malicious code that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of variants, which pollutes the npm registry and can compromise the integrity of other packages. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which exploits npm's publishing mechanisms for malicious purposes.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall distinct_roundworm_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 workaround, you can avoid using the distinct_roundworm_z3n package altogether. If you have dependencies that rely on it, consider finding alternative packages that do not have known vulnerabilities. Additionally, you can monitor your project for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert, which analyzes your package-lock.json file for real-time alerts on open-source vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The distinct_roundworm_z3n package presents a significant security risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package from their projects and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in real-time. Staying vigilant and informed can help mitigate the risks associated with open-source dependencies.
See every vulnerability recorded for distinct_roundworm_z3n →
FAQ
The distinct_roundworm_z3n package is a malicious npm package that is part of a campaign to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, potentially compromising the integrity of your project's dependencies and exposing it to further risks.
You should uninstall the distinct_roundworm_z3n package immediately and check your project for any other affected packages.
You can use Vulert to monitor your package-lock.json file for vulnerabilities in real-time without needing to access the code or install additional software.
Regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert, and stay informed about known vulnerabilities in the packages you use.
