Malicious Code Injection in liberal_flea_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-128179: Malicious code in liberal_flea_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The liberal_flea_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, primarily used for JavaScript development. It is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with various packages. This package, like others in the campaign, is designed to manipulate npm's publishing system, potentially harming developers' reputations and polluting the registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the liberal_flea_z3n package stems from its malicious code that modifies the package.json file. It removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, which are then republished to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of the npm registry but also poses risks to developers who may unknowingly depend on these malicious packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall liberal_flea_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 package by using npm's package-lock.json file to monitor dependencies. Ensure that your project does not include liberal_flea_z3n in its dependencies. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The liberal_flea_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert.
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FAQ
liberal_flea_z3n is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, known for flooding the npm registry with malicious packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially leading to the publication of unauthorized packages and harming your project's integrity.
You should uninstall the liberal_flea_z3n package immediately using the command: npm uninstall liberal_flea_z3n.
Yes, Vulert can monitor your package-lock.json file for vulnerabilities, including those related to the liberal_flea_z3n package, and alert you in real-time.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
