Malicious Code Injection in native_booby_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-88758: Malicious code in native_booby_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The native_booby_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and has been associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages, which can inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. However, it has been compromised to include malicious scripts that manipulate package metadata.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the native_booby_z3n package stems from its inclusion in a malicious campaign that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of variants, which pollutes the npm registry and can potentially compromise the integrity of dependent applications. The malicious payload is designed to exploit the npm ecosystem by creating numerous derivative packages that can mislead developers and users.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall native_booby_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 native_booby_z3n package in your project. If it is already included, remove it from your package.json and run npm install to clean up your dependencies.
Conclusion
The native_booby_z3n package has been identified as a vector for malicious code injection, which can compromise the integrity of applications relying on it. Immediate action is required to remove this package and safeguard your projects. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in monitoring and managing vulnerabilities effectively.
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FAQ
The native_booby_z3n package is an npm package that has been linked to a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through the automatic publication of derivative packages.
This vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, potentially compromising the integrity of your application and exposing it to further security risks.
If you have installed the native_booby_z3n package, it is recommended to remove it immediately and monitor your application for any unusual behavior.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities using just your package-lock.json file. You can check your application for vulnerabilities without requiring access to the code or installation.
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