Malicious Code Injection in Nuclear Dormouse Z3N Package
Summary
MAL-2025-95682: Malicious code in nuclear_dormouse_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The 'nuclear_dormouse_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 in exchange for token rewards. However, it has been identified as containing malicious scripts that compromise its integrity.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the presence of malicious code within the 'nuclear_dormouse_z3n' package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, ultimately leading to the pollution of the npm registry. The malicious payload is part of a broader scheme to manipulate the npm ecosystem for fraudulent token rewards, posing risks to developers relying on the integrity of npm packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall nuclear_dormouse_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 prevent the installation of this package by using the following command to uninstall it: npm uninstall nuclear_dormouse_z3n. Additionally, consider using a tool like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities in real-time.
Conclusion
The 'nuclear_dormouse_z3n' package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package configurations and pollutes the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to take immediate action by removing the package and monitoring their projects for vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially leading to security vulnerabilities and pollution of the npm registry.
You should uninstall the package immediately and monitor your project for any further vulnerabilities.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities in your application without any signup.
Regularly update your dependencies, use tools like Vulert for monitoring, and review package sources before installation.
