Malicious Code in equal_dog_z3n: A Threat to npm Package Integrity
Summary
MAL-2025-102154: Malicious code in equal_dog_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'equal_dog_z3n' is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with malicious packages. The primary function of such packages is to inflate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages with randomized names.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'equal_dog_z3n' stems from its malicious payload that modifies the package.json file. It removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, thereby polluting the npm registry. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of the npm ecosystem but also poses risks 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 equal_dog_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 this package by using npm's package-lock.json to monitor dependencies. Ensure that your project does not include 'equal_dog_z3n' in its dependencies. You can also use the following command to audit your project for vulnerabilities: npm audit.
Conclusion
The equal_dog_z3n package poses a significant threat due to its malicious code that compromises the npm ecosystem. Developers should take immediate action to remove this package and monitor their applications for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert. Staying informed and proactive is crucial to maintaining application security.
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FAQ
The equal_dog_z3n package contains malicious code that modifies package.json files and floods the npm registry with derivative packages.
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You should remove the package immediately and check for any dependencies that may have been affected.
Currently, there is no patched version available for equal_dog_z3n. It is advisable to remove the package until a secure version is released.
Vulert uses the package-lock.json file to monitor and alert in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities, ensuring your application remains secure.
