Malicious Code Injection in Squealing Swordtail Z3N Package
Summary
MAL-2025-98945: Malicious code in squealing_swordtail_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The 'squealing_swordtail_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 generation and publication of derivative packages, often with randomized names, to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. It is crucial for developers to be aware of the potential risks associated with such packages, as they can lead to significant security vulnerabilities.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from malicious code embedded within the 'squealing_swordtail_z3n' package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, which can lead to the pollution of the npm registry. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which employs autopublish scripts to automate the creation of these malicious packages. The ramifications include potential exposure of sensitive information and the degradation of the npm ecosystem's integrity.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall squealing_swordtail_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 remove the 'squealing_swordtail_z3n' package from your project by executing the command: 'npm uninstall squealing_swordtail_z3n'. This will prevent the execution of any malicious code associated with the package until a fix is applied.
Conclusion
The 'squealing_swordtail_z3n' package contains malicious code that poses a significant risk to developers and the npm ecosystem. It is crucial to take immediate action by updating or removing the package to safeguard your projects. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help monitor and alert for such vulnerabilities in real-time.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the exposure of sensitive information and the pollution of the npm registry, affecting the integrity of your project.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. Check your application using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner.
If you cannot update the package, consider removing it from your project as a temporary measure to avoid executing any malicious code.
Detailed information can be found in the vulnerability report and through resources like Vulert, which provides insights into open-source vulnerabilities.
