Malicious Code Injection in rolling_koala_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-98914: Malicious code in rolling_koala_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The rolling_koala_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, often utilized in JavaScript projects. It is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with various packages. This particular package is designed to automate the generation and publication of derivative packages, which can lead to reputation inflation for developers involved in the tea protocol.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the rolling_koala_z3n package stems from its malicious code that modifies the package.json file. This code removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, which are often themed around Indonesian culture or in English. The malicious payload continuously republishes these variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially compromising the integrity of other packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall rolling_koala_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 prevent the installation of this malicious package by using the following command to uninstall it: npm uninstall rolling_koala_z3n. Additionally, consider using npm audit to identify and address vulnerabilities in your project.
Conclusion
The rolling_koala_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package configurations and floods the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to be vigilant and take immediate action to remove this package and monitor their projects for any vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
The rolling_koala_z3n package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to automate the publication of derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, which can lead to the removal of private flags and the generation of random package names, compromising your project's integrity.
You can use Vulert to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Visit Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without requiring any signup.
If you have installed the rolling_koala_z3n package, it is recommended to uninstall it immediately using the command: npm uninstall rolling_koala_z3n.
Regularly audit your npm packages using npm audit, and consider using tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in real-time.
