Malicious Code Vulnerability in interim_alligator_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-95086: Malicious code in interim_alligator_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The interim_alligator_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, often used in JavaScript projects. It is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has led to the proliferation of numerous packages designed to inflate developer reputation scores. This package, like others in the campaign, 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 code that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior is intended to create derivative packages that pollute the npm registry, making it difficult for developers to identify legitimate packages. The ramifications include potential security risks for applications using this package, as well as reputational damage for developers associated with the affected packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall interim_alligator_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can avoid using the interim_alligator_z3n package and replace it with a trusted alternative. Additionally, you can monitor your package-lock.json file for any unauthorized changes using tools like Vulert, which can alert you to open-source vulnerabilities in real-time.
Conclusion
The interim_alligator_z3n package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and pollutes the npm registry. Developers are advised to remove this package from their projects and monitor their dependencies for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert.
See every vulnerability recorded for interim_alligator_z3n →
FAQ
interim_alligator_z3n is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been identified to contain malicious code.
The malicious code modifies the package.json file, removes private flags, changes version numbers, and generates random package names to pollute the npm registry.
You can use Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
It is recommended to remove the interim_alligator_z3n package from your project and monitor your dependencies for any unauthorized changes.
Currently, there is no specific patch available for the interim_alligator_z3n package. It is best to remove the package and monitor for updates.
