Malicious Code Injection in elderly_tortoise_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-94199: Malicious code in elderly_tortoise_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 elderly_tortoise_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 its integrity and the security of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the elderly_tortoise_z3n package stems from its malicious payload that modifies the package.json file. It removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of variants that pollute the npm registry. This behavior not only affects the reputation of developers but also poses a risk to users who may inadvertently install these malicious packages, potentially leading to further exploitation.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall elderly_tortoise_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 temporary workaround, you can avoid using the elderly_tortoise_z3n package and instead look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Regularly audit your dependencies to ensure they are secure.
Conclusion
The elderly_tortoise_z3n package has been identified as containing malicious code that poses significant risks to developers and users alike. It is crucial to remove this package from your projects and monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain a secure development environment.
See every vulnerability recorded for elderly_tortoise_z3n →
FAQ
The elderly_tortoise_z3n package is an npm package involved in the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been found to contain malicious code.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, removes private flags, and generates random package names, which can lead to security vulnerabilities and pollution of the npm registry.
You should uninstall the elderly_tortoise_z3n package immediately using 'npm uninstall elderly_tortoise_z3n' and check for any other affected packages.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just the package-lock.json file. You can also check your application against vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground.
Yes, you should look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Always ensure to audit your dependencies for security.
