Malicious Code Injection in legitimate_frog_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-105065: Malicious code in legitimate_frog_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The legitimate_frog_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, typically used for various JavaScript functionalities. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign associated with the tea.xyz token reward initiative. This package is designed to inflate developer reputation scores by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names, which can lead to significant pollution of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the presence of malicious code within the legitimate_frog_z3n package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, primarily themed around Indonesian culture. The malicious payload continuously republishes these variants, thereby compromising the integrity of the npm registry and potentially affecting developers who rely on this ecosystem for legitimate packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall legitimate_frog_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 legitimate_frog_z3n package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionalities without the associated risks. Always verify the integrity of packages before including them in your project.
Conclusion
The legitimate_frog_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry. It is essential for developers to remove this package and monitor their dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain the security and integrity of their projects.
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FAQ
The legitimate_frog_z3n package is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, potentially introducing malicious code into your project and compromising its security.
You should immediately uninstall the legitimate_frog_z3n package and review your project's dependencies for any other potentially malicious packages.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access or installation.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
