Malicious Code Injection in eldest_goat_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-102000: Malicious code in eldest_goat_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The eldest_goat_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 creating and publishing numerous derivative packages with randomized names. The primary functionality of these packages is to inflate developer reputation scores for rewards associated with the tea protocol, but they also introduce significant security risks.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the eldest_goat_z3n package stems from its malicious payload, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags and alters version numbers. It generates random package names, often themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants to pollute the npm registry. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of the npm ecosystem but also poses risks to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall eldest_goat_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 eldest_goat_z3n package and any other packages that are part of the tea.xyz token reward campaign. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at https://vulert.com/scanner without any signup.
Conclusion
The eldest_goat_z3n package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious behavior of modifying package.json files and polluting the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and utilize monitoring tools like Vulert to safeguard their projects against such vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
The eldest_goat_z3n package is an npm package that is part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through the creation of numerous derivative packages.
This vulnerability can compromise the integrity of your project by introducing malicious code that modifies your package.json file and pollutes the npm registry.
You should uninstall the eldest_goat_z3n package immediately using the command: npm uninstall eldest_goat_z3n.
Yes, you can use Vulert to monitor and alert in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. The Vulert playground allows you to check for vulnerabilities without requiring access to the code.
Regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert for monitoring, and stay updated on the latest security advisories related to the packages you use.
