Malicious Code Injection in functional_puma_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-94633: Malicious code in functional_puma_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The functional_puma_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate the generation and publication of derivative packages, often containing scripts that automate the publishing process. However, it has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises its integrity and the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious code embedded within the functional_puma_z3n package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of variants. This behavior not only inflates developer reputation scores fraudulently but also pollutes the npm registry, potentially affecting other developers and projects relying on npm packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall functional_puma_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 remove the functional_puma_z3n package from your project by executing the command: 'npm uninstall functional_puma_z3n'. This will prevent any malicious code from executing until a safe version is available.
Conclusion
The functional_puma_z3n package has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises its integrity and the npm ecosystem. It is crucial for developers to take immediate action by uninstalling the package and monitoring for updates. Utilizing tools like Vulert can enhance security by providing real-time alerts for vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
The functional_puma_z3n package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to automate the generation and publication of derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, removes private flags, and generates random package names, which can lead to reputation inflation and pollution of the npm registry.
You should uninstall the functional_puma_z3n package immediately and check for any updates or patches that may address the vulnerability.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just package-lock.json. You can check your application for vulnerabilities without any signup at the Vulert playground.
Regularly updating your packages, using tools like Vulert for monitoring, and reviewing package dependencies can help prevent vulnerabilities in your projects.
