Malicious Code Vulnerability in probable_ox_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-96037: Malicious code in probable_ox_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The probable_ox_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 integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the package's malicious payload, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior is intended to continuously republish variants of the package, polluting the npm registry and potentially leading to security risks for developers who unknowingly use these compromised packages. The malicious scripts included in the package are designed to automate these processes, making it difficult for users to detect the underlying issues.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall probable_ox_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a workaround, you can avoid using the probable_ox_z3n package altogether and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities in real-time.
Conclusion
The probable_ox_z3n package contains malicious code that poses a significant risk to developers and the npm ecosystem. It is crucial to remove this package from your projects and monitor for any vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert. Staying informed and proactive can help mitigate the risks associated with such vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
The probable_ox_z3n package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to automate the generation and publication of derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, removes private flags, and generates random package names, which can lead to security vulnerabilities and pollution of the npm registry.
You should uninstall the probable_ox_z3n package immediately and check your package-lock.json file for any lingering references to it.
Yes, you can use 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 needing to sign up.
