Malicious Code Injection in monetary_antlion_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-105947: Malicious code in monetary_antlion_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The monetary_antlion_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package, like others in the campaign, is designed to manipulate the npm registry by generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. Its primary function is to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards, but this has led to significant security concerns.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the monetary_antlion_z3n package stems 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 npm ecosystem but also poses risks to developers who may unknowingly use these manipulated packages. The malicious payload is part of a broader trend of autopublishing scripts that exploit the npm registry.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall monetary_antlion_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 remove the monetary_antlion_z3n package from your project by executing the command: 'npm uninstall monetary_antlion_z3n'. This will prevent any malicious code from executing while you seek a secure alternative or wait for a patched version.
Conclusion
The monetary_antlion_z3n package has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to take immediate action by updating or uninstalling the package to protect their projects from potential threats. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in monitoring and managing vulnerabilities effectively.
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FAQ
The monetary_antlion_z3n package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to manipulate the npm registry.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and may compromise the integrity of your project by introducing malicious code.
You should immediately update the package to the latest version or uninstall it to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities using just the package-lock.json file. Check your application for vulnerabilities at Vulert Scanner.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
