Malicious Code Injection in empty_lungfish_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-94241: Malicious code in empty_lungfish_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The empty_lungfish_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and appears to be 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 compromised, leading to significant security concerns.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from malicious code embedded within the empty_lungfish_z3n package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, which are then continuously republished to pollute the npm registry. The ramifications include potential exposure of sensitive information, reputation damage for developers, and a cluttered npm registry that can hinder legitimate package discovery.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall empty_lungfish_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 the empty_lungfish_z3n package by using npm's package-lock.json to lock your dependencies. Additionally, consider using npm audit to identify and address vulnerabilities in your project.
Conclusion
The empty_lungfish_z3n package has been identified as containing malicious code that poses significant risks to developers and their projects. It is essential to remove this package and monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain the security and integrity of your applications.
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FAQ
The empty_lungfish_z3n package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to automate the generation and publication of packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, removes private flags, and can lead to the publication of unauthorized package variants, potentially compromising your project's integrity.
If you have installed the empty_lungfish_z3n package, it is recommended to remove it immediately and check your project for any unauthorized changes.
You can use tools like npm audit to scan your project for vulnerabilities. Additionally, Vulert can monitor your package-lock.json for real-time alerts on open-source vulnerabilities.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
