Malicious Code Injection in intimate_boar_z3n: A Threat to npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-104364: Malicious code in intimate_boar_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'intimate_boar_z3n' is part of a series of npm packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. The functionality of this package is compromised due to the presence of malicious code that alters its metadata and behavior.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'intimate_boar_z3n' originates from its association with a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. The malicious payload modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, changing version numbers, and generating random package names. This behavior leads to pollution of the npm registry, potentially affecting developers' reputation and the integrity of the ecosystem. The package is designed to continuously republish variants, exacerbating the issue.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall intimate_boar_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a workaround, you can monitor your project for any dependencies that may reintroduce this malicious package. Regularly audit your npm packages using the following command: npm audit. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert, which can monitor your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities without requiring code access or installation.
Conclusion
The 'intimate_boar_z3n' package poses a significant threat due to its malicious code designed to manipulate npm package metadata. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and utilize tools like Vulert to ensure their projects remain secure from such vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
The 'intimate_boar_z3n' package is an npm package associated with a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through the automatic generation of derivative packages.
This vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, affecting the integrity of your project and potentially harming your developer reputation.
The best way to fix this vulnerability is to uninstall the 'intimate_boar_z3n' package from your project, as there is no patched version available.
You can use tools like Vulert to monitor your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access or installation.
If you find 'intimate_boar_z3n' in your dependencies, you should uninstall it immediately and audit your project for any other potentially malicious packages.
Habilume
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Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
