Malicious Code Injection in motionless_parakeet_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-95545: Malicious code in motionless_parakeet_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The motionless_parakeet_z3n package is part of a series of npm packages that emerged during the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. The primary functionality of these packages is to facilitate the tea protocol token rewards, but they have been compromised to include malicious scripts.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the inclusion of malicious code within the motionless_parakeet_z3n package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of variants that pollute the npm registry. The ramifications include potential security risks for developers who unknowingly use these packages, as they can inadvertently contribute to the spread of malicious software.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall motionless_parakeet_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 motionless_parakeet_z3n package and any other packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. Ensure to audit your package-lock.json file for any dependencies that may be linked to this malicious package.
Conclusion
The motionless_parakeet_z3n package contains malicious code that poses a significant risk to developers and their projects. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor for any updates or patches. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in identifying vulnerabilities in your dependencies.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that is part of a campaign to inflate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json, removes private flags, and can lead to the pollution of the npm registry with unwanted packages.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. Visit Vulert Scanner to check your application without needing to sign up.
You should uninstall the motionless_parakeet_z3n package immediately using the command: npm uninstall motionless_parakeet_z3n.
Currently, there is no patched version available. It is recommended to remove the package until a secure version is released.
