Malicious Code Injection in empty_bedbug_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-94238: Malicious code in empty_bedbug_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The empty_bedbug_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package, like others in the campaign, is designed to manipulate npm's publishing system by creating and publishing numerous derivative packages with randomized names. The intent behind this is to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards, which compromises the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the empty_bedbug_z3n package originates from its malicious design, which includes scripts that modify the package.json file to remove private flags and alter version numbers. It generates random package names, often themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants. This behavior not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages, leading to potential security breaches in their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall empty_bedbug_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 empty_bedbug_z3n package altogether and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The empty_bedbug_z3n package poses significant risks due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry with compromised packages. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities to maintain application security.
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FAQ
The empty_bedbug_z3n package is an npm package involved in a token reward campaign that manipulates the npm registry by publishing numerous derivative packages.
This vulnerability can lead to the inclusion of malicious code in your application, which may compromise its security and integrity.
If you have installed the empty_bedbug_z3n package, you should uninstall it immediately and check for any other affected packages.
Yes, you can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access or installation.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
