Malicious Code Injection in nokire-zenitsu49: A Threat to npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-163638: Malicious code in nokire-zenitsu49 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'nokire-zenitsu49' is part of a series of npm packages that emerged during the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to automate the generation and publication of derivative packages, often with randomized names. This behavior is intended to inflate developer reputation scores in exchange for tea protocol token rewards. However, this functionality has led to significant security concerns due to the malicious code embedded within these packages.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'nokire-zenitsu49' originates from its malicious payload, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior allows the package to continuously republish variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially compromising other packages. The malicious scripts (auto.js, autopublish.js, etc.) are designed to exploit the npm ecosystem, leading to a degradation of trust and reliability in package management.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall nokire-zenitsu49
If 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 'nokire-zenitsu49' and any other packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. Regularly audit your npm packages to ensure that no malicious packages are present. You can also use tools like Vulert to monitor your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The 'nokire-zenitsu49' package poses a significant threat due to its malicious code designed to manipulate the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to be vigilant and regularly audit their dependencies to mitigate such risks. By removing this package and utilizing tools like Vulert, you can enhance the security of your projects.
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FAQ
'nokire-zenitsu49' is an npm package that is part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through automated package publishing.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, potentially compromising the integrity of your project's dependencies and exposing it to further security risks.
You should uninstall the package immediately using the command 'npm uninstall nokire-zenitsu49' and audit your project for any other malicious packages.
Regularly audit your npm packages and use tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in your package-lock.json. This proactive approach can help you stay informed about potential threats.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.