Malicious Code Injection in positive_antelope_z3n: A Threat to npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-95943: Malicious code in positive_antelope_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'positive_antelope_z3n' is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package is linked to a token reward campaign that has been known to flood the npm registry with malicious packages. These packages often contain scripts that automatically generate and publish derivative packages, which can lead to reputation inflation and registry pollution.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'positive_antelope_z3n' originates from its association with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. It includes malicious scripts that modify the package.json file to remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of the npm registry but also poses risks to developers who may unknowingly use these tainted packages. The continuous republishing of these variants can lead to a significant increase in malicious content within the registry.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall positive_antelope_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 'positive_antelope_z3n' package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can use the following command to uninstall the package: npm uninstall positive_antelope_z3n.
Conclusion
The 'positive_antelope_z3n' package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate npm registry contents. Developers should take immediate action to remove this package and monitor their applications for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert.
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FAQ
The vulnerability can lead to the modification of package.json files and the proliferation of malicious packages in the npm registry, potentially affecting other developers.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. Visit Vulert Scanner to check your application without any signup.
You should uninstall the package immediately and look for alternatives. Use the command 'npm uninstall positive_antelope_z3n' to remove it.
Currently, there are no known patches for the 'positive_antelope_z3n' package. It is advisable to remove the package until a secure version is released.
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