Malicious Code Injection in super_donkey_z3n: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-109297: Malicious code in super_donkey_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
super_donkey_z3n is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign targeting developers through the tea.xyz token reward system. This package is designed to inflate developer reputation scores by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. The malicious nature of this package poses significant risks to users and the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in super_donkey_z3n originates from its involvement in a campaign that floods the npm registry with malicious packages. The package contains scripts that modify the package.json file to remove private flags, change version numbers, and generate random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially compromising user projects by introducing untrusted code.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall super_donkey_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary measure, users can avoid using the super_donkey_z3n package and any packages that depend on it. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your package-lock.json file for vulnerabilities in real-time.
Conclusion
The super_donkey_z3n package poses a significant threat due to its malicious code designed to manipulate the npm registry. Users are advised to remove this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert. Staying informed and proactive is essential to maintaining the security of your software.
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FAQ
super_donkey_z3n is an npm package that has been linked to a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through the creation of numerous derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of untrusted code into your project, potentially compromising its security and integrity.
You should immediately remove the package from your project and monitor your dependencies for any other malicious packages.
You can use Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time, alerting you to any issues.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
