Malicious Code Injection in slow_primate_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-108846: Malicious code in slow_primate_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The slow_primate_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 code that compromises its integrity and the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious intent behind the slow_primate_z3n package, which includes scripts that modify the package.json file to remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of variants that pollute the npm registry, potentially affecting developers and users relying on legitimate packages. The malicious payload can compromise the security and reliability of applications that depend on this package.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall slow_primate_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 avoid using the slow_primate_z3n package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can use tools like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities. To check if your application is affected by this vulnerability, you can use the Vulert playground at https://vulert.com/scanner without any signup.
Conclusion
The slow_primate_z3n package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package from their projects and utilize monitoring tools like Vulert to stay informed about potential vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
The slow_primate_z3n package is an npm package associated with a token reward campaign that has been identified as containing malicious code.
The vulnerability can lead to the modification of your package.json file and the introduction of malicious packages, compromising the security of your application.
You should uninstall the slow_primate_z3n package immediately using the command 'npm uninstall slow_primate_z3n'.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just package-lock.json.
You can check if your application is affected by using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner without needing to sign up.
