Malicious Code Vulnerability in embarrassed_basilisk_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-94227: Malicious code in embarrassed_basilisk_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The 'embarrassed_basilisk_z3n' package is part of the npm ecosystem and has been 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 scripts that compromise the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the package's malicious code, 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 harming developers' reputations and project integrity. The malicious payload is part of a broader scheme to exploit the npm ecosystem for token rewards.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall embarrassed_basilisk_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a workaround, you can manually remove the package from your project by running the following command: npm uninstall embarrassed_basilisk_z3n. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities in real-time.
Conclusion
The 'embarrassed_basilisk_z3n' package poses a significant 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 utilize monitoring tools like Vulert to safeguard their projects from vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and compromise the integrity of your project by introducing malicious code.
You should uninstall the package immediately and monitor your project for any vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert.
Currently, there is no patched version available. It is best to remove the package until a secure version is released.
You can use Vulert, which allows you to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just your package-lock.json file.
