Malicious Code Injection in mutual_leech_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-106058: Malicious code in mutual_leech_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The mutual_leech_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with malicious packages. These packages often contain scripts that manipulate package metadata and publish numerous variants to inflate developer reputation scores.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the mutual_leech_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, leading to pollution of the npm registry. This behavior can compromise the integrity of the npm ecosystem and potentially expose users to further security risks.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall mutual_leech_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 mutual_leech_z3n package and any other packages that are part of the tea.xyz token reward campaign. Regularly audit your dependencies to ensure no malicious packages are included.
Conclusion
The mutual_leech_z3n package contains malicious code that poses a significant risk to users and the npm ecosystem. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor your dependencies for any similar vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your applications.
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FAQ
The mutual_leech_z3n package is an npm package that is part of a campaign to inflate developer reputation scores through the publication of numerous derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially leading to the inclusion of unwanted packages and compromising the integrity of your application.
You should uninstall the mutual_leech_z3n package immediately and audit your project for any other potentially malicious packages.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access or installation.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
