Malicious Code Injection in Naughty Mink Z3N Package
Summary
MAL-2025-98832: Malicious code in naughty_mink_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The 'naughty_mink_z3n' package is part of the npm ecosystem, often used in JavaScript projects for various functionalities. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign associated with the tea.xyz token reward initiative. This package is designed to inflate developer reputation scores by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names, which can lead to significant pollution of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'naughty_mink_z3n' originates from its malicious payload that modifies the package.json file. It removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, which can lead to the proliferation of unwanted packages in the npm registry. This not only affects the integrity of the npm ecosystem but also poses risks to developers who may unknowingly rely on these compromised packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall naughty_mink_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 'naughty_mink_z3n' package and replace it with a trusted alternative that provides similar functionality. Always verify the integrity of packages before installation.
Conclusion
The 'naughty_mink_z3n' package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and proliferates unwanted packages. It is essential to remove this package from your projects and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities effectively.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and may introduce unwanted or malicious packages into your project.
You should uninstall the 'naughty_mink_z3n' package immediately using the command 'npm uninstall naughty_mink_z3n'.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities by analyzing your package-lock.json file.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities in your application without any signup.
