Malicious Code Injection in empty_antelope_z3n: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-102072: Malicious code in empty_antelope_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'empty_antelope_z3n' is part of a series of npm packages that emerged during the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores by automatically generating and publishing numerous derivative packages with randomized names. The malicious nature of this package lies in its ability to modify critical files, thereby compromising the integrity of the npm registry and the projects that depend on it.
Vulnerability Detail
This vulnerability originates from the 'empty_antelope_z3n' package, which contains scripts that automatically publish derivative packages with altered metadata. The malicious payload modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, changes version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to pollution of the npm registry. This can result in developers inadvertently using compromised packages, which may introduce security risks and instability into their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall empty_antelope_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary measure, you can avoid using the 'empty_antelope_z3n' package and any other packages that may have been published as part of the same campaign. You can also utilize tools like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities. To check if your application is affected, you can use the Vulert playground at https://vulert.com/scanner without any signup.
Conclusion
The 'empty_antelope_z3n' package poses a significant threat to npm users due to its malicious code designed to manipulate package metadata and pollute the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remain vigilant, regularly update their dependencies, and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that is part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores by flooding the npm registry with derivative packages.
If your project depends on this package, it may inadvertently use compromised code, leading to potential security risks and instability.
You should uninstall the 'empty_antelope_z3n' package immediately and check your project for any other affected dependencies.
Yes, regularly monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert, and keep your packages updated.
There is no patch for 'empty_antelope_z3n' as it is a malicious package. The best course of action is to remove it from your project.
