Malicious Code Injection in glad_hookworm_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-103260: Malicious code in glad_hookworm_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The glad_hookworm_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, primarily used for JavaScript development. It is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been linked to a series of malicious packages that flood the npm registry. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages with randomized names.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the glad_hookworm_z3n package stems from its malicious payload, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags and alters version numbers. It generates random package names, often themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants to pollute 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.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall glad_hookworm_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 glad_hookworm_z3n package from your project by executing the command: npm uninstall glad_hookworm_z3n. This will prevent any potential malicious activity associated with the package until a secure version is available.
Conclusion
The glad_hookworm_z3n package contains malicious code that poses significant risks to developers and the integrity of the npm ecosystem. It is crucial to take immediate action by updating or removing the package to safeguard your projects. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help monitor and alert you to such vulnerabilities in real-time.
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FAQ
The glad_hookworm_z3n package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been identified as containing malicious code.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, removes private flags, and generates random package names, which can lead to reputation inflation and potential security risks.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. By analyzing your package-lock.json file, Vulert can help identify if your application is affected by this vulnerability.
To prevent similar vulnerabilities, regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert for real-time monitoring, and ensure that you only install packages from trusted sources.
If an immediate update is not possible, consider removing the package from your project as a temporary measure until a secure version is released.
