Malicious Code Injection in smart_leopard_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-108860: Malicious code in smart_leopard_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
Background
The smart_leopard_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. It is designed to facilitate token rewards through various automated scripts. However, this package has been identified as malicious, containing scripts that manipulate package metadata and publish numerous derivative packages to inflate developer reputation scores.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the presence of malicious code within the smart_leopard_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 reputation.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall smart_leopard_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, avoid using the smart_leopard_z3n package and monitor your project for any dependencies that may have been affected by this malicious code. Regularly audit your package-lock.json file for any unexpected changes.
Conclusion
The smart_leopard_z3n package contains malicious code that poses significant risks to developers and their projects. It is essential to remove this package and monitor for any updates or patches. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in identifying vulnerabilities in your dependencies.
See every vulnerability recorded for smart_leopard_z3n →
FAQ
The smart_leopard_z3n package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to automate token rewards through various scripts.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, removes private flags, and generates random package names, which can lead to security vulnerabilities and reputation damage.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Visit Vulert Scanner to check your application without requiring any signup.
If you have installed the smart_leopard_z3n package, it is crucial to uninstall it immediately using 'npm uninstall smart_leopard_z3n' and review your dependencies for any other affected packages.
While there is currently no patched version available, it is advisable to monitor the package repository for updates and to remove the package until a fix is released.
