Malicious Code Injection in sick_platypus_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-90488: Malicious code in sick_platypus_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The sick_platypus_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, often used in JavaScript applications. It is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with derivative packages. This package, like others in the campaign, is designed to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing scripts.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the sick_platypus_z3n package stems from its malicious code 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 behavior not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages, potentially leading to security breaches in their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall sick_platypus_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 package by using npm's package-lock.json file to lock dependencies and avoid fetching potentially malicious packages. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The sick_platypus_z3n package contains malicious code that poses significant risks to developers and their applications. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities. Tools like Vulert can assist in maintaining the security of your software.
See every vulnerability recorded for sick_platypus_z3n →
FAQ
sick_platypus_z3n is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which aims to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code in your application, potentially compromising its security and integrity.
You should immediately remove the sick_platypus_z3n package from your project and monitor your application for any unusual behavior.
You can use Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file for vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access or installation.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
