Malicious Code Injection in rival_roundworm_z3n: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-96384: Malicious code in rival_roundworm_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 package 'rival_roundworm_z3n' is part of a series of malicious npm packages that emerged during the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to manipulate the npm registry by creating and publishing numerous derivative packages with randomized names. This behavior is intended to inflate developer reputation scores in exchange for tea protocol token rewards, posing a significant risk to the integrity of the npm ecosystem.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'rival_roundworm_z3n' stems from its malicious payload that modifies the package.json file. It removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of variants. This not only pollutes the npm registry but also compromises the security and reliability of applications relying on these packages. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the broader trend of malicious packages flooding the npm ecosystem, specifically targeting developers seeking token rewards.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall rival_roundworm_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 avoid using the 'rival_roundworm_z3n' package and replace it with a trusted alternative. Regularly audit your package-lock.json file to identify and remove any suspicious packages. You can also use tools like Vulert to monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities in real-time.
Conclusion
The 'rival_roundworm_z3n' package poses a significant threat to the npm ecosystem due to its malicious behavior. By understanding the nature of this vulnerability and taking proactive steps to remove the affected package, developers can safeguard their applications and maintain the integrity of their dependencies.
See every vulnerability recorded for rival_roundworm_z3n →
FAQ
'rival_roundworm_z3n' is a malicious npm package that is part of a campaign to manipulate the npm registry for token rewards.
This vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, potentially introducing insecure and untrusted packages into your application.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
You should uninstall the 'rival_roundworm_z3n' package immediately and replace it with a trusted alternative.
Regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert for monitoring, and only install packages from trusted sources.
