Malicious Code Vulnerability in low_quail_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-95330: Malicious code in low_quail_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The low_quail_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and has been identified as a component of the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages, which can inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. However, it has been compromised to include malicious scripts that alter its functionality.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the presence of malicious code within the low_quail_z3n package. This code is designed to modify the package.json file by removing private flags, changing version numbers, and generating random package names. The malicious payload continuously republishes these variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially leading to security risks for developers who unknowingly use these compromised packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall low_quail_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 low_quail_z3n package and replace it with a trusted alternative. Additionally, regularly audit your npm packages using tools like npm audit to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The low_quail_z3n package has been identified as containing malicious code that poses a significant risk to developers. It is crucial to remove this package from your projects and to regularly audit your dependencies to maintain security. Utilizing tools like Vulert can aid in monitoring for such vulnerabilities in real-time.
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FAQ
The low_quail_z3n package is an npm package that has been associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, removes private flags, and can lead to the publication of compromised packages, potentially affecting your project's integrity.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. By using the Vulert playground, you can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
If you have installed the low_quail_z3n package, you should uninstall it immediately using the command 'npm uninstall low_quail_z3n' and review your project's dependencies.
Yes, tools like npm audit and Vulert can help you identify and manage vulnerabilities in your npm packages effectively.
