Malicious Code Injection in inquisitive_antelope_z3n: A Threat to npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-104239: Malicious code in inquisitive_antelope_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package inquisitive_antelope_z3n is part of a series of npm packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to manipulate the npm registry by generating and publishing numerous derivative packages with randomized names. This behavior aims to inflate developer reputation scores for rewards in the tea protocol, making it a significant concern for developers relying on npm for package management.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in inquisitive_antelope_z3n stems 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 not only pollutes the npm registry but also compromises the integrity of the packages, potentially affecting any projects that depend on them. The malicious payload is part of a broader strategy to exploit npm's ecosystem for token rewards, posing risks to developers and users alike.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall inquisitive_antelope_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 avoid using the inquisitive_antelope_z3n package in your project. Additionally, consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. You can also monitor your package dependencies using tools like Vulert, which can alert you to vulnerabilities in real-time.
Conclusion
The inquisitive_antelope_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry with derivative packages. Developers should take immediate action to remove this package and monitor their dependencies for vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can enhance security by providing real-time alerts for open-source vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
inquisitive_antelope_z3n is an npm package involved in a malicious campaign that aims to inflate developer reputation scores through the creation of numerous derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, compromising the integrity of your project's dependencies and potentially introducing malicious code.
You should remove the inquisitive_antelope_z3n package from your project and monitor for any updates or patches that may be released.
Yes, Vulert can monitor your package-lock.json file for vulnerabilities in real-time, alerting you to any issues, including those related to inquisitive_antelope_z3n.
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