Malicious Code Injection in intelligent_cricket_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-95068: Malicious code in intelligent_cricket_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The intelligent_cricket_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, primarily used for various JavaScript applications. 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. This package, like others in the campaign, is designed to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing of derivative packages.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the intelligent_cricket_z3n package arises from the presence of malicious code that modifies the package.json file. This code removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of these variants. The origin of this vulnerability is traced back to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which employs autopublish scripts to manipulate the npm registry, potentially compromising the integrity of the ecosystem and affecting developers' reputations.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall intelligent_cricket_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 intelligent_cricket_z3n package from your project by executing the following command: npm uninstall intelligent_cricket_z3n. This will prevent any malicious code from executing while you seek a secure alternative.
Conclusion
The intelligent_cricket_z3n package has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises the integrity of the npm ecosystem. It is crucial for developers to take immediate action by updating or removing the package to protect their projects from potential risks.
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FAQ
The intelligent_cricket_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 damage and potential security risks.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. You can check your application for this vulnerability using the Vulert playground without any signup.
If you cannot update the package right away, consider uninstalling it as a temporary measure to mitigate the risk of malicious code execution.
You can find detailed information about this vulnerability in the official npm registry or by visiting the GitHub repository for malicious packages.
