Malicious Code Injection in stupid_constrictor_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-90776: Malicious code in stupid_constrictor_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The stupid_constrictor_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 are often used to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. The package's functionality is compromised due to malicious scripts that alter its metadata and continuously republish variants to the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious code embedded in the stupid_constrictor_z3n package. This code modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, changing version numbers, and generating random package names. The continuous republishing of these modified packages can lead to pollution of the npm registry, potentially affecting other developers and users who rely on the integrity of the npm ecosystem. The malicious payload is designed to exploit the npm publishing process, making it a significant concern for developers using this package.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall stupid_constrictor_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 stupid_constrictor_z3n package altogether and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can monitor your package-lock.json file for any unauthorized changes.
Conclusion
The stupid_constrictor_z3n package contains malicious code that poses a significant risk to developers and the npm ecosystem. It is crucial to remove this package from your projects and monitor for any vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert. By staying informed and proactive, you can protect your applications from potential threats.
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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 malicious code modifies your package.json file and can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, affecting the integrity of your project.
You should uninstall the stupid_constrictor_z3n package immediately and check for any dependencies that may be affected.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just package-lock.json.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without needing to sign up.
