Malicious Code Injection in lonely_baboon_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-87988: Malicious code in lonely_baboon_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The lonely_baboon_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate automated publishing of derivative packages, which can inflate developer reputation scores in exchange for token rewards. However, it has been identified as containing malicious scripts that compromise its integrity and the security of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the lonely_baboon_z3n package originates from its inclusion in a campaign that floods the npm registry with malicious packages. It contains scripts that modify the package.json file to remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of these variants. This behavior not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages, potentially leading to security breaches in their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall lonely_baboon_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 lonely_baboon_z3n package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can implement strict package management practices to monitor and control the packages used in your project.
Conclusion
The lonely_baboon_z3n package has been identified as containing malicious code that poses a significant risk to developers and their applications. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor for any updates or patches. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in identifying vulnerabilities in your projects.
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FAQ
lonely_baboon_z3n is an npm package that is part of a campaign to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing of malicious packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code into your application, potentially compromising its security and integrity.
You should remove the lonely_baboon_z3n package from your project immediately and monitor for any updates or patches.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. You can check your application using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner without needing to sign up.
Yes, consider looking for alternative packages that offer similar functionality without the associated risks of malicious code.
