Malicious Code Injection in educational_tern_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-94179: Malicious code in educational_tern_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The educational_tern_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package, like many others, is intended to facilitate the development of applications by providing reusable code. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that aims to manipulate the npm registry and inflate developer reputation scores through the creation of derivative packages.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the educational_tern_z3n package stems from its association with a malicious campaign that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags and change version numbers. This allows the package to generate random names and continuously republish variants, polluting the npm registry. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which employs autopublish scripts to automate the creation of these malicious packages. The ramifications include potential security risks for developers who inadvertently use these packages, as they may contain harmful code or lead to reputational damage.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall educational_tern_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 avoid using the educational_tern_z3n package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can use the following command to uninstall the package: npm uninstall educational_tern_z3n.
Conclusion
The educational_tern_z3n package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code injection. It is crucial for developers to be aware of this vulnerability, take immediate action to remove the package, and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor their projects for potential threats.
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FAQ
The educational_tern_z3n package is an npm package that is part of a malicious campaign aimed at manipulating the npm registry.
Using the educational_tern_z3n package can introduce malicious code into your project, potentially compromising security and integrity.
You should uninstall the educational_tern_z3n package immediately and monitor your project for any unusual behavior.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. You can check your application using the Vulert playground without any signup.
Regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities, and stay informed about security advisories related to the packages you use.
