Malicious Code Injection in proud_iguana_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-96087: Malicious code in proud_iguana_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The proud_iguana_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 in the proud_iguana_z3n package stems from its malicious payload, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially affecting other developers and their projects. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which employs autopublish scripts to automate these malicious activities.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall proud_iguana_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 prevent the installation of the proud_iguana_z3n package by adding it to your project's .npmrc file with the following line: 'package-lock=false'. This will stop npm from installing this package and its dependencies.
Conclusion
The proud_iguana_z3n package contains a significant vulnerability that can lead to malicious code injection and npm registry pollution. It is crucial to remove this package from your project and monitor for updates. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in identifying and managing such vulnerabilities effectively.
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FAQ
The proud_iguana_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 vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and may compromise the integrity of your project by introducing malicious code.
You should remove the proud_iguana_z3n package from your project immediately and monitor for any updates or patches.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities using just your package-lock.json file. You can also check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground.
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