Malicious Code Injection in superb_eagle_z3n: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-96869: Malicious code in superb_eagle_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The superb_eagle_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 can inflate developer reputation scores. However, it has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in superb_eagle_z3n originates from its malicious payload, which 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, polluting the npm registry and potentially impacting other developers and users relying on the integrity of npm packages. The malicious scripts (auto.js, autopublish.js, etc.) are designed to automate this process, making it difficult to track and mitigate.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall superb_eagle_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, you can avoid using the superb_eagle_z3n package and 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 superb_eagle_z3n package poses a significant threat to the npm ecosystem due to its malicious code that modifies package metadata and repopulates the registry with potentially harmful variants. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity of their projects.
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FAQ
superb_eagle_z3n is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to automate the publication of derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, potentially affecting other packages and developers relying on the integrity of npm.
You should uninstall the package immediately using the command npm uninstall superb_eagle_z3n and check your project for any other affected packages.
You can use tools like 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 requiring any signup.
