Malicious Code Injection in moaning_moth_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-105913: Malicious code in moaning_moth_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The moaning_moth_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript development. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with malicious packages. The primary functionality of such packages is to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing of derivative packages.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the moaning_moth_z3n package stems from its malicious payload that modifies the package.json file. It removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, which leads to the pollution of the npm registry. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of the npm ecosystem but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly install these malicious packages, potentially leading to further exploitation.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall moaning_moth_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 moaning_moth_z3n package and any other packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. Regularly audit your dependencies using tools like npm audit to identify and mitigate potential vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The moaning_moth_z3n package presents a significant security risk due to its malicious behavior of modifying package files and republishing variants. It is essential for developers to remove this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities to maintain a secure development environment.
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FAQ
The moaning_moth_z3n package is an npm package linked to a token reward campaign that has been identified as malicious due to its behavior of publishing derivative packages.
This vulnerability can lead to the installation of malicious code that modifies your project's dependencies, potentially compromising security and stability.
If you have installed the moaning_moth_z3n package, you should uninstall it immediately and audit your project for any other potentially malicious packages.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file to alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities. You can also check your application against known vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground.
To prevent future vulnerabilities, regularly audit your dependencies, use trusted sources for packages, and stay informed about security advisories in the npm ecosystem.
