Malicious Code Injection in formidable_lamprey_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-94577: Malicious code in formidable_lamprey_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The formidable_lamprey_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 identified as containing malicious code that modifies package metadata and repurposes it for nefarious activities.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the formidable_lamprey_z3n package stems from its malicious payload, which alters the package.json file by removing private flags and changing version numbers. It generates random package names, often themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants to pollute the npm registry. This behavior can lead to security risks, including the potential for developers to unknowingly use compromised packages, which can affect the integrity of their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall formidable_lamprey_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a workaround, you can avoid using the formidable_lamprey_z3n package altogether. If you require similar functionality, consider using well-known and trusted alternatives that do not have a history of malicious behavior.
Conclusion
The formidable_lamprey_z3n package has been identified as containing malicious code that poses significant risks to developers and their applications. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor for any similar vulnerabilities in the future. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your projects.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the use of compromised packages, which may introduce security risks and affect the integrity of your application.
You should uninstall the formidable_lamprey_z3n package immediately using the command npm uninstall formidable_lamprey_z3n.
Yes, consider using well-established packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just your package-lock.json file. You can also check your application for vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner without any signup.
