Malicious Code Injection in marked_hare_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-95393: Malicious code in marked_hare_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The marked_hare_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with 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, its functionality has been compromised, leading to significant security concerns.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in marked_hare_z3n originates from its malicious code that modifies the package.json file. It removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, which can lead to the pollution of the npm registry. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of the package but also poses risks to developers relying on npm for secure package management. The malicious payload is designed to continuously republish variants, exacerbating the issue.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall marked_hare_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 prevent the installation of the marked_hare_z3n package by using npm's package-lock.json to monitor your dependencies. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in your project. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at https://vulert.com/scanner without any signup.
Conclusion
The marked_hare_z3n package contains a serious vulnerability that can compromise your project's integrity. It is crucial to uninstall this package and monitor your dependencies for any further vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your software.
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FAQ
The marked_hare_z3n package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to automate the publication of derivative packages.
The vulnerability allows malicious code to modify your package.json file, potentially leading to security risks and the pollution of the npm registry.
You should uninstall the marked_hare_z3n package immediately using the command npm uninstall marked_hare_z3n.
Yes, you can use Vulert to monitor and alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software by analyzing your package-lock.json.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by vulnerabilities without any signup.
