Malicious Code Injection in quickest_mosquito_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-89886: Malicious code in quickest_mosquito_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The quickest_mosquito_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 the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in quickest_mosquito_z3n originates from its association with a malicious campaign that employs scripts to modify the package.json file. This modification removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of variants that pollute the npm registry. The ramifications include potential security risks for developers who unknowingly use these packages, as well as damage to the reputation of the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall quickest_mosquito_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can remove the quickest_mosquito_z3n package from your project by executing the command: 'npm uninstall quickest_mosquito_z3n'. This will prevent any malicious code from executing in your environment until a secure version is available.
Conclusion
The quickest_mosquito_z3n package contains a significant vulnerability due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and repopulates the npm registry with compromised packages. It is essential to take immediate action to remove this package and monitor for updates to ensure the security of your projects.
See every vulnerability recorded for quickest_mosquito_z3n →
FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code into your project, compromising its security and integrity.
You should uninstall the quickest_mosquito_z3n package 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 the package-lock.json file.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without needing to sign up.
