Malicious Code Injection in foolish_kite_z3n: npm Package Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-94564: Malicious code in foolish_kite_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'foolish_kite_z3n' is part of a series of npm packages that emerged during the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to manipulate npm's registry by creating numerous derivative packages with randomized names. This behavior is intended to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards, making the package a potential vector for malicious activities.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'foolish_kite_z3n' stems from its inclusion in a malicious campaign that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This leads to the continuous republishing of variants, which pollutes the npm registry and can compromise the integrity of dependent projects. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the automated scripts (auto.js, autopublish.js, etc.) that are embedded within these malicious packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall foolish_kite_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 prevent the installation of this malicious package by using npm's package-lock.json to monitor dependencies. You can also use the following command to uninstall the package: npm uninstall foolish_kite_z3n.
Conclusion
The 'foolish_kite_z3n' package is part of a malicious campaign that compromises the npm registry. It is essential to remove this package from your project and monitor for any updates or patches. Utilizing tools like Vulert can aid in identifying and managing such vulnerabilities effectively.
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FAQ
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, potentially compromising the integrity of other packages and projects that depend on it.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. Visit Vulert Scanner to check your application without any signup.
You should uninstall the package immediately and check for any dependencies that may have been affected.
Yes, tools like Vulert can help monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities using just the package-lock.json file.
It is highly discouraged to continue using your project with this vulnerability, as it poses significant risks to your application's security and integrity.
