Malicious Code Injection in ltd_swordtail_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-95336: Malicious code in ltd_swordtail_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The ltd_swordtail_z3n package is part of the tea.xyz token reward campaign that has infiltrated the npm ecosystem. This package is designed to facilitate the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages, which are often used to inflate developer reputation scores in exchange for tea protocol token rewards. The package's functionality is compromised due to its malicious nature, which leads to the pollution of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious code embedded within the ltd_swordtail_z3n package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, primarily themed around Indonesian culture. The continuous republishing of these variants leads to a cluttered npm registry, which can affect developers' ability to find legitimate packages and may compromise the integrity of their projects.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall ltd_swordtail_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, avoid using the ltd_swordtail_z3n package and monitor your project for any dependencies that may indirectly rely on it. You can also use tools like Vulert to monitor your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities without requiring code access or installation.
Conclusion
The ltd_swordtail_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that modifies package metadata and floods the npm registry. It is essential to remove this package from your projects and monitor for any dependencies that may be affected. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your applications.
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FAQ
The ltd_swordtail_z3n package is part of a malicious campaign that generates and publishes derivative npm packages to inflate developer reputation scores.
This vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, making it difficult to find legitimate packages and potentially compromising your project's integrity.
You should uninstall the ltd_swordtail_z3n package immediately and monitor your project for any dependencies that may rely on it.
Yes, you can use Vulert to monitor your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities in real-time without needing to access the code or install any software.
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