Malicious Code Vulnerability in slimy_scorpion_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-96627: Malicious code in slimy_scorpion_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The slimy_scorpion_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate the automatic generation and publishing of derivative packages, which can inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. However, it has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the package's design to include autopublish scripts that modify the package.json file. These modifications remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of variants that pollute the npm registry. This can result in a loss of trust in the npm ecosystem and potential exploitation by malicious actors.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall slimy_scorpion_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a workaround, you can temporarily avoid using the slimy_scorpion_z3n package and monitor your project for any dependencies that may rely on it. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The slimy_scorpion_z3n package contains malicious code that poses a significant risk to the npm ecosystem. It is crucial to remove this package from your project and monitor for any dependencies that may be affected. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your applications.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and compromise the integrity of your project's dependencies.
You should remove the slimy_scorpion_z3n package from your project immediately to mitigate any risks.
Yes, you can use Vulert to monitor your package-lock.json for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities without any signup.
