Malicious Code Injection in middle_mink_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-95464: Malicious code in middle_mink_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The middle_mink_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate token rewards through automated publishing of derivative packages. However, it has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises its integrity and the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the middle_mink_z3n package stems from its malicious payload, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior is intended to inflate developer reputation scores for the tea protocol token rewards. The continuous republishing of these variants leads to pollution of the npm registry, potentially affecting other developers and users relying on legitimate packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall middle_mink_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 middle_mink_z3n package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, regularly monitor your package-lock.json file for any unauthorized changes.
Conclusion
The middle_mink_z3n package has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises the npm registry and can affect projects using it. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor your dependencies for any vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity of your software.
See every vulnerability recorded for middle_mink_z3n →
FAQ
The middle_mink_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and is involved in the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which automates the publishing of derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized modifications in your package.json file, potentially compromising your project's integrity and reputation.
You should uninstall the middle_mink_z3n package immediately and check for any dependencies that may be affected.
Yes, you can use Vulert to monitor your project for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time by analyzing your package-lock.json file.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
Habilume
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Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
