Malicious Code Injection in grand_turtle_z3n: Exploiting npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-94739: Malicious code in grand_turtle_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package grand_turtle_z3n is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. It is designed to facilitate token rewards for developers by generating and publishing derivative packages. However, this package has been identified as malicious, containing scripts that manipulate package metadata and flood the npm registry with unauthorized variants.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in grand_turtle_z3n originates from its malicious code that modifies the package.json file. It removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of these variants. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of the npm registry but also inflates developer reputation scores fraudulently. The malicious payload can potentially lead to the distribution of compromised packages to unsuspecting users, posing security risks.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall grand_turtle_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 the grand_turtle_z3n package by using npm's package-lock.json file to lock dependencies. Additionally, you can monitor your project for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert, which can alert you to any open-source vulnerabilities in real-time.
Conclusion
The grand_turtle_z3n package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry. It is essential to remove this package and monitor your project for vulnerabilities to maintain security. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in real-time monitoring and alerting for open-source vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
grand_turtle_z3n 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 distribution of malicious packages, compromising the integrity of your project and potentially exposing it to security risks.
You should immediately remove the grand_turtle_z3n package from your project and monitor for any updates or patches.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file for vulnerabilities and alerts you in real-time.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
Habilume
Habit tracker with a companion that grows with you
Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
