Malicious Code Injection in shocked_toad_z3n: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-96574: Malicious code in shocked_toad_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The 'shocked_toad_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 malicious activities aimed at inflating developer reputation scores. The package is designed to automate the generation and publication of derivative packages, making it susceptible to exploitation.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'shocked_toad_z3n' originates from its malicious payload that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags and alters version numbers. It generates random package names, primarily themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants to pollute the npm registry. This not only compromises the integrity of the npm ecosystem but also poses risks to developers who may unknowingly use these malicious packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall shocked_toad_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 remove the 'shocked_toad_z3n' package from your project by executing the command: 'npm uninstall shocked_toad_z3n'. This will prevent any malicious code from executing in your environment.
Conclusion
The 'shocked_toad_z3n' package poses a significant threat to the npm ecosystem due to its malicious code designed to manipulate package metadata and publish harmful variants. It is crucial for developers to remain vigilant and take necessary actions to secure their projects against such vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
The 'shocked_toad_z3n' package is a malicious npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to inflate developer reputation scores.
This vulnerability can compromise the integrity of your project by introducing malicious code that modifies your package.json and republishing harmful variants.
If you have installed 'shocked_toad_z3n', you should uninstall it immediately and check for any other affected packages in your project.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just package-lock.json. You can check your application for vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground.
Regularly update your packages, monitor for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert, and review the source of packages before installation.
