Malicious Code Injection in swift_koala_z3n: npm Package Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-90900: Malicious code in swift_koala_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The swift_koala_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that aims to exploit npm's publishing system. It is designed to generate and publish derivative packages with randomized names, which can inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards in the tea.xyz protocol.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in swift_koala_z3n originates from its association with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. The package contains malicious scripts that modify the package.json file to remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of these variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially compromising the integrity of other packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall swift_koala_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 swift_koala_z3n package from your project by executing: npm uninstall swift_koala_z3n. This will prevent any malicious activity associated with the package until a secure version is available.
Conclusion
The swift_koala_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that modifies package configurations and repopulates the npm registry with harmful variants. It is essential to take immediate action by updating or removing the package and utilizing tools like Vulert for ongoing monitoring.
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FAQ
swift_koala_z3n is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at exploiting npm's publishing system.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and may compromise the integrity of your project by introducing malicious code.
If you have installed swift_koala_z3n, it is recommended to uninstall it immediately and monitor for any updates or patches.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just the package-lock.json file. You can check your application for vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground without any signup.
Regularly updating your dependencies and using tools like Vulert can help you stay informed about vulnerabilities in your packages.
