Malicious Code Injection in dull_swordfish_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-101811: Malicious code in dull_swordfish_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The dull_swordfish_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 code that compromises the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the dull_swordfish_z3n package stems from its malicious payload, which 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, polluting the npm registry and potentially affecting other developers and users relying on legitimate packages. The source of this vulnerability is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood npm with such malicious packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall dull_swordfish_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 the dull_swordfish_z3n package by using the following command to uninstall it: npm uninstall dull_swordfish_z3n. Additionally, consider using npm audit to identify and address other potential vulnerabilities in your project.
Conclusion
The dull_swordfish_z3n package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity of their applications.
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FAQ
The dull_swordfish_z3n package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, removes private flags, and continuously republishes variants, which can lead to pollution of the npm registry and affect your project's integrity.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. Check your application using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner without any signup.
If you have installed the dull_swordfish_z3n package, it is recommended to uninstall it immediately and monitor your project for any further vulnerabilities.
Yes, it is advisable to regularly run npm audit on your project to identify and address any other potential vulnerabilities in your dependencies.
