Malicious Code Injection in hot_elephant_z3n Package: npm Vulnerability Overview
Summary
MAL-2025-94871: Malicious code in hot_elephant_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The hot_elephant_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 in the hot_elephant_z3n package originates from its malicious payload, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially affecting developers who rely on these packages. The malicious scripts included in this package are designed to automate the publication process, making it difficult to track and mitigate the impact of the malicious activity.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall hot_elephant_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 hot_elephant_z3n package and instead look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, regularly audit your project's dependencies using tools like npm audit to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The hot_elephant_z3n package has been identified as containing malicious code that poses a significant risk to developers and the npm ecosystem. It is crucial to remove this package from your projects and monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain the security of your applications.
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FAQ
The hot_elephant_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 vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and may compromise the integrity of your project's dependencies, potentially introducing security risks.
If you have installed the hot_elephant_z3n package, it is recommended to remove it from your project immediately and check for alternative packages.
You can use tools like npm audit or services like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file for open-source vulnerabilities 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.
