Malicious Code Injection in prospective_guan_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-107367: Malicious code in prospective_guan_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The prospective_guan_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, often used in JavaScript projects. It is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with various packages. This package, like others in the campaign, is designed to manipulate the npm registry by generating and publishing numerous derivative packages, thereby inflating developer reputation scores for token rewards.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from malicious code embedded within the prospective_guan_z3n package. This code is designed to modify the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. The primary risk is that it can lead to the pollution of the npm registry with numerous unwanted packages, potentially compromising the integrity of the ecosystem and affecting developers who rely on npm for package management.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall prospective_guan_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 temporarily avoid using the prospective_guan_z3n package in your project until a secure version is released. Additionally, consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The prospective_guan_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that can manipulate the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package from their projects and monitor for any updates or patches. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in identifying vulnerabilities in your software effectively.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been identified to contain malicious code.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, potentially affecting the integrity of your project and introducing unwanted packages.
You should remove the prospective_guan_z3n package from your project immediately to mitigate any risks.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just the package-lock.json file.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
