Malicious Code Injection in lesser_antlion_z3n: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-105089: Malicious code in lesser_antlion_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package lesser_antlion_z3n is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. It is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with malicious packages. These packages often contain scripts designed to manipulate package metadata and inflate developer reputation scores, posing a significant risk to users and the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in lesser_antlion_z3n originates from its design to include autopublish scripts that modify the package.json file. This malicious code removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of variants that pollute the npm registry. The ramifications include compromised developer reputations, potential data leaks, and a degraded npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall lesser_antlion_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 prevent the installation of lesser_antlion_z3n by using npm's package-lock.json to lock your dependencies. Additionally, consider using npm audit to identify and address vulnerabilities in your project.
Conclusion
The lesser_antlion_z3n package poses a significant threat due to its malicious code designed to manipulate npm package metadata. Users are advised to remove this package and monitor their dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity of their projects.
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FAQ
lesser_antlion_z3n is an npm package that has been identified as malicious, associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign.
The vulnerability can lead to the modification of your package metadata, potentially harming your project's reputation and security.
You should remove the lesser_antlion_z3n package from your project immediately and check for any updates or patches.
You can use tools like npm audit or services like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities in real-time.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
