Malicious Code Injection in rainy_mole_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-96172: Malicious code in rainy_mole_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 rainy_mole_z3n package is part of a series of npm packages that emerged during the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to automate the generation and publication of derivative packages, often with randomized names. This behavior is intended to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards, but it also introduces significant security risks.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the rainy_mole_z3n package stems from its malicious code, 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 these variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially compromising the integrity of other packages. The origin of this issue is linked to the broader campaign that exploits npm's publishing mechanisms for malicious purposes.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall rainy_mole_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 workaround, you can temporarily avoid using the rainy_mole_z3n package and monitor your dependencies for any malicious activities. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities in real-time.
Conclusion
The rainy_mole_z3n package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that alters project files and publishes harmful variants. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can enhance your security posture by providing real-time alerts.
See every vulnerability recorded for rainy_mole_z3n →
FAQ
The rainy_mole_z3n package is an npm package that is part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through automated publishing.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially compromising your project's integrity and leading to the pollution of the npm registry.
You should remove the rainy_mole_z3n package from your project immediately and monitor for any updates or patches.
Yes, Vulert can monitor your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities in real-time, helping you stay informed about any issues in your dependencies.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
