Malicious Code Injection in high_smelt_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-103712: Malicious code in high_smelt_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The high_smelt_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 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 compromises its integrity and the security of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the high_smelt_z3n package, which includes scripts that modify the package.json file to remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially affecting other developers by inflating reputation scores fraudulently. The malicious payload can also expose systems to further security risks as it undermines the trustworthiness of the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall high_smelt_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 temporarily avoid using the high_smelt_z3n package by removing it from your dependencies. You can do this by executing the following command in your project directory: npm uninstall high_smelt_z3n.
Conclusion
The high_smelt_z3n package has been identified as containing malicious code that poses a significant risk to the npm ecosystem. It is crucial for developers to remove this package from their projects and monitor their dependencies for vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your applications.
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FAQ
The high_smelt_z3n package is part of a token reward campaign on npm that automates the generation of derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and may compromise the integrity of your project by introducing malicious code.
You should uninstall the high_smelt_z3n package immediately and monitor your project for any unusual behavior.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using your package-lock.json file.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without needing to sign up.
