Malicious Code Injection in nosy_hookworm_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-95671: Malicious code in nosy_hookworm_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The nosy_hookworm_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and is 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 identified as containing malicious code that compromises its integrity and the security of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the nosy_hookworm_z3n package stems from its malicious payload, which 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, resulting in pollution of the npm registry and potential exploitation of developers who unknowingly use these packages. The origin of this issue is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has flooded the npm ecosystem with similar malicious packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall nosy_hookworm_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 nosy_hookworm_z3n package and any other packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. Additionally, consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The nosy_hookworm_z3n package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that modifies package files and repopulates the npm registry with harmful variants. It is essential to remove this package and monitor your project for vulnerabilities to maintain security.
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FAQ
The nosy_hookworm_z3n package is an npm package involved in the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages automatically.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and may compromise your project's integrity by introducing malicious code.
You should remove the nosy_hookworm_z3n package from your project and monitor for any updates or patches that may address the vulnerability.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities using just your package-lock.json file. You can also check your application for vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground without any signup.
To prevent similar vulnerabilities, regularly audit your dependencies, use trusted packages, and stay informed about security advisories related to the packages you use.
