Malicious Code Injection in proud_pinniped_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-89538: Malicious code in proud_pinniped_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The proud_pinniped_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with malicious packages. These packages often contain scripts that automatically generate and publish derivative packages, compromising the integrity of the npm ecosystem.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the proud_pinniped_z3n package stems from its malicious code that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior is designed to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards, leading to pollution of the npm registry. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been identified as a source of numerous malicious packages in the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall proud_pinniped_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
Currently, there are no effective workarounds to mitigate the effects of this vulnerability other than removing the package from your project. Regularly monitor your dependencies and avoid using packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign.
Conclusion
The proud_pinniped_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry. It is crucial to remove this package from your project and monitor your dependencies to maintain the integrity of your software.
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FAQ
The proud_pinniped_z3n package is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores through the generation of derivative packages.
This vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and may compromise the integrity of your project by introducing unwanted or malicious packages.
Yes, you can use Vulert to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground without any signup.
You should review your project's dependencies and consider replacing or updating them to ensure they do not rely on the compromised package.
Yes, it is advisable to stay informed about other packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign and regularly audit your dependencies for vulnerabilities.
