Malicious Code Injection in embarrassing_wolverine_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-94232: Malicious code in embarrassing_wolverine_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The embarrassing_wolverine_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate token rewards by generating and publishing derivative packages. 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 embarrassing_wolverine_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, primarily themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants to pollute the npm registry. This behavior not only affects the reputation of legitimate developers but also poses a risk of dependency confusion and potential exploitation of applications relying on this package.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall embarrassing_wolverine_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 embarrassing_wolverine_z3n package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The embarrassing_wolverine_z3n package has been identified as containing malicious code that poses significant risks to developers and their applications. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor for similar vulnerabilities in the future to maintain the integrity and security of your projects.
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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 malicious code can modify your package.json file, remove private flags, and lead to the pollution of the npm registry, potentially affecting your application's dependencies.
You should uninstall the embarrassing_wolverine_z3n package immediately and check for any dependencies that may be affected.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just your package-lock.json file. You can check your application for vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground without any signup.
Regularly update your dependencies, monitor for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert, and review the packages you include in your project for any known issues.
