Malicious Code Vulnerability in interested_jackal_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-104316: Malicious code in interested_jackal_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The interested_jackal_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 the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the package's malicious payload, which modifies the package.json file by removing private flags and changing version numbers. It generates random package names, often themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants to pollute the npm registry. This behavior not only affects the reputation of developers but also poses risks to users who may unknowingly install these compromised packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall interested_jackal_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 interested_jackal_z3n package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The interested_jackal_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry with compromised packages. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their dependencies for vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
It is an npm package involved in the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The package modifies package.json files, removes private flags, changes version numbers, and publishes random package names to pollute the npm registry.
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You should remove the interested_jackal_z3n package from your project and monitor for any updates or patches.
Yes, you should look for alternative npm packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
