Malicious Code Injection in eligible_hyena_z3n: A Threat to npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-98696: Malicious code in eligible_hyena_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'eligible_hyena_z3n' is part of a series of npm packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to manipulate the npm registry by generating and publishing numerous derivative packages with randomized names. This behavior aims to inflate developer reputation scores for rewards, making it a significant concern for developers relying on npm for package management.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'eligible_hyena_z3n' stems from its malicious code that modifies the package.json file. It removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of these variants. This not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly integrate these compromised packages into their projects. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the broader exploitation of npm's package publishing system, where malicious actors seek to exploit the platform for token rewards.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall eligible_hyena_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 to monitor your dependencies. Ensure that your package-lock.json does not include 'eligible_hyena_z3n'. You can also use tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in your project without needing to access the code directly.
Conclusion
The 'eligible_hyena_z3n' package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry. It is essential for developers to be vigilant about their dependencies and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities effectively.
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FAQ
'eligible_hyena_z3n' is an npm package associated with a token reward campaign that has been identified as malicious due to its code that manipulates the npm registry.
If 'eligible_hyena_z3n' is included in your project, it can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and potentially compromise your project's integrity by introducing unwanted packages.
You should uninstall 'eligible_hyena_z3n' immediately using the command 'npm uninstall eligible_hyena_z3n' and review your project's dependencies for any other malicious packages.
Regularly update your dependencies, use trusted packages, and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities in real-time.
Vulert is a monitoring tool that uses your package-lock.json to alert you in real-time about open-source vulnerabilities in your software. You can check if your application is affected by visiting the Vulert playground.
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Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
