Malicious Code Injection in intermediate_lion_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-104346: Malicious code in intermediate_lion_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The intermediate_lion_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and has been associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages, often with randomized names, to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. Its functionality is compromised due to the presence of malicious code that alters package metadata.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from a malicious payload embedded within the intermediate_lion_z3n package. This payload modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, changing version numbers, and generating random package names, which leads to the continuous republishing of variants that pollute the npm registry. The ramifications include potential security risks for developers who unknowingly use these compromised packages, as well as damage to the integrity of the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall intermediate_lion_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, avoid using the intermediate_lion_z3n package and consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The intermediate_lion_z3n package contains 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 for any vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert.
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FAQ
The intermediate_lion_z3n package is an npm package involved in the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file and can lead to the publication of compromised packages, potentially harming your project's integrity.
If you have installed the intermediate_lion_z3n package, you should uninstall it immediately using the command: npm uninstall intermediate_lion_z3n.
Yes, consider using other reputable npm packages that offer similar functionality without the associated risks.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software by analyzing your package-lock.json file. You can also check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner without any signup.
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Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
