Malicious Code Injection in smart_koala_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-98935: Malicious code in smart_koala_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Habilume
Habit tracker with a companion that grows with you
Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
Background
The smart_koala_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 the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the smart_koala_z3n package originates from its 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 behavior 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 smart_koala_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can prevent the installation of the smart_koala_z3n package by adding it to your project's .npmrc file with the following line: 'package-lock=false'. This will help avoid the installation of this malicious package until a fix is implemented.
Conclusion
The smart_koala_z3n package poses a significant threat due to its malicious code that modifies package metadata and repopulates the npm registry with harmful variants. It is essential to remove this package and monitor your projects for vulnerabilities to maintain security.
See every vulnerability recorded for smart_koala_z3n →
FAQ
The smart_koala_z3n package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to automate the publication of derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, compromising the integrity of your project and potentially exposing it to further security risks.
If you have installed the smart_koala_z3n package, it is crucial to remove it immediately and monitor your project for any unusual behavior.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file to alert you in real-time about open-source vulnerabilities in your software.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
Habilume
Habit tracker with a companion that grows with you
Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
