Malicious Code Injection in lesser_beetle_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-95231: Malicious code in lesser_beetle_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The lesser_beetle_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. It is designed to facilitate the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages. However, this package has been identified as malicious, containing scripts that manipulate package metadata and publish numerous variants to inflate developer reputation scores.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious code embedded within the lesser_beetle_z3n package. This code modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. The scripts are designed to continuously republish these variants, leading to pollution of the npm registry and potential security risks for developers who may unknowingly use these packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall lesser_beetle_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 this malicious package by using npm's package-lock.json file to monitor dependencies. Ensure that your project does not include lesser_beetle_z3n in its dependencies.
Conclusion
The lesser_beetle_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry with unwanted variants. It is essential to remove this package and monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain the security of your projects.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with a token reward campaign that has been identified as malicious.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file and can lead to the publication of unwanted packages, potentially compromising your project's integrity.
You should immediately remove the lesser_beetle_z3n package from your project and check for any unauthorized changes in your package.json file.
Yes, you can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file to alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without needing to sign up.
