Malicious Code Injection in spare_koi_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-96692: Malicious code in spare_koi_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The spare_koi_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, often utilized in JavaScript projects. It is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with various packages. This package, like others in the campaign, is designed to manipulate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the spare_koi_z3n package stems from its malicious code that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of variants, which pollutes the npm registry and can compromise the integrity of other packages. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which exploits npm's publishing mechanisms.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall spare_koi_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 temporarily avoid using the spare_koi_z3n package by removing it from your dependencies and replacing it with a trusted alternative. Additionally, you can monitor your package-lock.json file for any unauthorized changes.
Conclusion
The spare_koi_z3n package contains a significant vulnerability that can compromise the integrity of your npm dependencies. It is crucial to remove this package from your project and monitor for any unauthorized changes. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help you stay informed about potential vulnerabilities in your open-source dependencies.
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FAQ
The spare_koi_z3n package is an npm package that is part of a campaign to manipulate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation of derivative packages.
This vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, potentially compromising the integrity of your project's dependencies and affecting the overall security of your application.
If you have installed the spare_koi_z3n package, it is advisable to remove it immediately and monitor your project for any unauthorized changes.
Yes, you can use Vulert to monitor your project for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. It requires only the package-lock.json file to alert you of any issues.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
