Malicious Code Injection in slippery_chinchilla_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-108837: Malicious code in slippery_chinchilla_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The slippery_chinchilla_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 publication of derivative packages, which can inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. However, it has been identified as containing malicious scripts that compromise its integrity and the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the inclusion of malicious code within the slippery_chinchilla_z3n package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove 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 and loss of trust in the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall slippery_chinchilla_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary measure, avoid using the slippery_chinchilla_z3n package and consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. You can also monitor your project for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert, which analyzes your package-lock.json file for real-time alerts on open-source vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The slippery_chinchilla_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and can compromise the npm registry. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor your projects for vulnerabilities to maintain security and integrity.
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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 malicious code modifies your package.json, removes private flags, and can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, affecting your project's integrity.
You should remove the slippery_chinchilla_z3n package from your project and monitor for any updates or patches.
You can use Vulert, which analyzes your package-lock.json file to provide real-time alerts for open-source vulnerabilities.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities in your application without requiring an account.
