Malicious Code Injection in rainy_peafowl_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-96173: Malicious code in rainy_peafowl_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The rainy_peafowl_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 linked to a series of malicious activities aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through automated package publishing. The package's functionality is compromised due to its malicious payload, which modifies critical files to facilitate further exploitation.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the rainy_peafowl_z3n package stems from its malicious code that alters the package.json file by removing private flags and changing version numbers. This allows the package to generate and publish numerous derivative packages with random names, effectively polluting the npm registry. The origin of this issue is tied to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which incentivizes the creation of such malicious packages. The ramifications include potential security risks for developers who unknowingly use these packages, as they may inadvertently expose their projects to further vulnerabilities.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall rainy_peafowl_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 rainy_peafowl_z3n package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, regularly audit your package dependencies using tools like npm audit to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The rainy_peafowl_z3n package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that alters essential project files. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their dependencies for vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can aid in maintaining the security of your projects.
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FAQ
The rainy_peafowl_z3n package is an npm package that has been identified as malicious, primarily associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially exposing your project to further vulnerabilities and affecting your project's integrity.
You should uninstall the rainy_peafowl_z3n package immediately and check for any other dependencies that may have been affected.
Yes, you can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file to alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
