Malicious Code Injection in limited_prawn_z3n: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-95258: Malicious code in limited_prawn_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'limited_prawn_z3n' is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package 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 that manipulate package metadata and publish numerous derivative packages, thereby compromising the integrity of the npm ecosystem.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'limited_prawn_z3n' originates from its design to include malicious scripts that modify the package.json file. These scripts remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names, leading to the pollution of the npm registry. This not only affects the reputation of developers but also poses a risk to users who may unknowingly install compromised packages. The malicious behavior is primarily aimed at inflating developer reputation scores for token rewards.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall limited_prawn_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary measure, you can avoid using the 'limited_prawn_z3n' package and any other packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. Regularly audit your npm packages using tools like npm audit to identify and mitigate potential vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The 'limited_prawn_z3n' package poses a significant threat to the npm ecosystem due to its malicious behavior aimed at manipulating package metadata. It is crucial for developers to be vigilant, regularly audit their dependencies, and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities. By taking proactive measures, you can safeguard your projects from potential threats.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to manipulate the npm registry.
If you have this package installed, it may compromise your project's integrity by modifying package metadata and potentially introducing other vulnerabilities.
You should uninstall the package immediately using the command 'npm uninstall limited_prawn_z3n' and review your project's dependencies.
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 without requiring any signup.
