Malicious Code Injection in ltd_crow_z3n Package: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-105372: Malicious code in ltd_crow_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The ltd_crow_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package has been identified as part of a malicious campaign associated with the tea.xyz token reward system. It is designed to manipulate the npm registry by creating and publishing numerous derivative packages with randomized names, thereby inflating developer reputation scores for token rewards.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the ltd_crow_z3n package stems from its inclusion in a malicious campaign that deploys autopublish scripts. These scripts modify the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. This behavior leads to the pollution of the npm registry with numerous unwanted packages, which can compromise the integrity of the ecosystem and potentially expose users to further security risks.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall ltd_crow_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 ltd_crow_z3n package in your projects. Additionally, consider using the following command to uninstall the package if it is already installed: npm uninstall ltd_crow_z3n.
Conclusion
The ltd_crow_z3n package poses a significant threat to the npm ecosystem due to its malicious behavior aimed at manipulating the registry. It is essential for developers to be vigilant and take immediate action to remove this package and monitor their applications for vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
The ltd_crow_z3n package is an npm package that has been linked to a malicious campaign aimed at manipulating the npm registry.
This vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, potentially exposing your application to malicious packages and compromising its security.
You should uninstall the ltd_crow_z3n package immediately and monitor for any updates or patches that may address this issue.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just your package-lock.json file. You can check your application for vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground.
Regularly audit your dependencies, keep them updated, and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in your open-source packages.
