Malicious Code Injection in dull_earthworm_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-101803: Malicious code in dull_earthworm_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The dull_earthworm_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, it has been identified as containing malicious scripts that compromise its integrity and the security of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the dull_earthworm_z3n package originates from its involvement in a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. The malicious payload modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. This behavior not only compromises the affected package but also pollutes the npm registry, potentially leading to further exploitation by malicious actors.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall dull_earthworm_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 prevent the installation of this malicious package by using npm's package-lock.json file to monitor and restrict the installation of known vulnerable packages. You can also utilize tools like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities in real-time.
Conclusion
The dull_earthworm_z3n package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that modifies package.json and floods the npm registry. It is essential to remove this package from your project and monitor for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert to ensure the security of your applications.
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FAQ
The dull_earthworm_z3n package is an npm package associated with a token reward campaign that generates and publishes derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially leading to the installation of unwanted packages and compromising the security of your project.
You should uninstall the package immediately using 'npm uninstall dull_earthworm_z3n' and check for any dependencies that may be affected.
Yes, you can use Vulert to monitor your project for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring access to the code or installation.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
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Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
