Malicious Code Injection in quickest_haddock_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-107652: Malicious code in quickest_haddock_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The quickest_haddock_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, often utilized for various JavaScript functionalities. However, it has been identified as a malicious package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which aims to inflate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the malicious code embedded within the quickest_haddock_z3n package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of these variants. This not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages, potentially leading to security breaches in their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall quickest_haddock_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 quickest_haddock_z3n package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The quickest_haddock_z3n package poses significant risks due to its embedded malicious code, which can compromise your application and pollute the npm registry. It is essential to remove this package and monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert.
See every vulnerability recorded for quickest_haddock_z3n →
FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as malicious, designed to inflate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation of derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file and can lead to the installation of compromised packages, which may introduce security vulnerabilities in your application.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. Visit Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without requiring any signup.
You should uninstall the quickest_haddock_z3n package immediately and look for alternatives. Use the command 'npm uninstall quickest_haddock_z3n' to remove it.
While specific alternatives depend on your use case, consider searching the npm registry for similar packages that do not have a history of malicious activity.
