Malicious Code Injection in select_elephant_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-96495: Malicious code in select_elephant_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The select_elephant_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate token rewards for developers by generating and publishing derivative packages. However, it has been compromised to include malicious scripts that manipulate its functionality and impact the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the select_elephant_z3n package stems from malicious code that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior is intended to inflate developer reputation scores and pollute the npm registry with numerous derivative packages. The origin of this issue is linked to a broader trend of malicious packages flooding the npm ecosystem, specifically targeting token reward schemes.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall select_elephant_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 select_elephant_z3n package and any other packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign until a secure version is released. Additionally, consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The select_elephant_z3n package has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises the integrity of the npm registry and poses a risk to developers. It is crucial to uninstall this package and monitor your project for any vulnerabilities to maintain security.
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FAQ
The select_elephant_z3n package is an npm package involved in the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which aims to reward developers with tokens for publishing packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, removes private flags, and generates random package names, potentially leading to security vulnerabilities and reputation damage.
If you have installed the select_elephant_z3n package, you should uninstall it immediately using the command 'npm uninstall select_elephant_z3n' and check for any other affected packages.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just the package-lock.json file. You can also check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground without any signup.
Regularly audit your dependencies using tools like npm audit, keep your packages updated, and monitor for vulnerabilities using services like Vulert.
