Malicious Code Injection in overwhelming_gibbon_z3n: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-106870: Malicious code in overwhelming_gibbon_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package overwhelming_gibbon_z3n is part of a series of malicious npm packages that emerged during the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to manipulate the npm registry by generating and publishing numerous derivative packages with random names, aimed at inflating developer reputation scores for token rewards. This behavior poses a significant risk to the integrity of the npm ecosystem.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in overwhelming_gibbon_z3n originates from its malicious payload, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This results in the continuous republishing of variants that pollute the npm registry, potentially leading to reputation damage for developers and security risks for users who unknowingly install these packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall overwhelming_gibbon_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 avoid using overwhelming_gibbon_z3n and any other packages that are part of the tea.xyz token reward campaign. Additionally, consider using npm audit to identify and address vulnerabilities in your dependencies.
Conclusion
The overwhelming_gibbon_z3n package poses a significant threat to the npm ecosystem due to its malicious behavior. It is essential for developers to be aware of such vulnerabilities and take proactive measures to secure their projects. Regular monitoring and updating of dependencies can help mitigate these risks.
See every vulnerability recorded for overwhelming_gibbon_z3n →
FAQ
overwhelming_gibbon_z3n is an npm package that has been identified as malicious, designed to manipulate the npm registry by publishing numerous derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, potentially compromising the integrity of your project and affecting your reputation as a developer.
You should immediately remove the overwhelming_gibbon_z3n package from your project and check for any other affected packages.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors and alerts you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities using just your package-lock.json file.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
