Malicious Code Injection in linear_shark_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-98792: Malicious code in linear_shark_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The linear_shark_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package, like many others in this campaign, is designed to automate the generation and publication of derivative packages. It aims to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards, but it also poses significant security risks due to its malicious behavior.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the linear_shark_z3n package stems from its malicious code, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags and change version numbers. It generates random package names, often themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants to pollute the npm registry. This behavior can lead to a compromised development environment, inflated reputation scores, and potential exploitation of developers who unknowingly use these packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall linear_shark_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 linear_shark_z3n package and any other packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. Regularly audit your package dependencies using tools like npm audit to identify and mitigate potential vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The linear_shark_z3n package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry with unwanted packages. It is essential to remove this package and monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain a secure development environment.
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FAQ
The linear_shark_z3n package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which aims to inflate developer reputation scores through automated package publishing.
The vulnerability can compromise your project's integrity by introducing malicious code that modifies your package.json file and publishes unwanted packages, potentially leading to security risks.
You can use the Vulert platform to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Visit Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without requiring any signup.
If you have used the linear_shark_z3n package, it is crucial to uninstall it immediately and audit your project for any other potentially malicious packages.
Yes, tools like npm audit and Vulert can help you identify and manage vulnerabilities in your npm packages effectively.
