Malicious Code Injection in soviet_tiger_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-90717: Malicious code in soviet_tiger_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The soviet_tiger_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and has been identified as a malicious package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to automate the generation and publication of derivative packages, which can lead to the pollution of the npm registry. Its primary function is to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards, making it a target for developers seeking to exploit the npm ecosystem.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the soviet_tiger_z3n package stems from its malicious payload that modifies the package.json file. It removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, primarily themed around Indonesian culture, to continuously republish variants. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of the npm registry but also poses risks to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages, leading to potential security breaches in their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall soviet_tiger_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can avoid using the soviet_tiger_z3n package and instead look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Always verify the integrity and reputation of packages before including them in your project.
Conclusion
The soviet_tiger_z3n package poses significant risks due to its malicious behavior, which can compromise the integrity of the npm registry and affect applications that use it. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain a secure development environment.
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FAQ
The soviet_tiger_z3n package is a malicious npm package that is part of a token reward campaign, designed to inflate developer reputation scores.
Using the soviet_tiger_z3n package can lead to the pollution of your application's dependencies, potentially introducing security risks and instability.
You should uninstall the soviet_tiger_z3n package immediately using the command 'npm uninstall soviet_tiger_z3n' and check your project for any other compromised packages.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software by analyzing your package-lock.json file.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
