Malicious Code Injection in temporary_panda_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-96950: Malicious code in temporary_panda_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The temporary_panda_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 for token rewards. However, it has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises its integrity and the security of applications that depend on it.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the temporary_panda_z3n package stems from its malicious payload, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior is intended to pollute the npm registry by continuously republishing variants, thereby affecting the reputation of legitimate packages and potentially leading to security risks for applications relying on this package. The origin of this issue is linked to a broader trend of malicious packages flooding the npm ecosystem, specifically targeting token reward systems.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall temporary_panda_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can avoid using the temporary_panda_z3n package 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 using tools like Vulert, which can alert you to open-source vulnerabilities in real-time.
Conclusion
The temporary_panda_z3n package contains a significant vulnerability due to its malicious code, which can compromise applications that depend on it. It is crucial to uninstall this package and monitor your dependencies for any potential threats. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your software.
See every vulnerability recorded for temporary_panda_z3n →
FAQ
The temporary_panda_z3n package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized modifications in your package.json file, potentially compromising the integrity of your application and polluting the npm registry.
You should uninstall the temporary_panda_z3n package immediately using the command npm uninstall temporary_panda_z3n.
Yes, tools like Vulert can monitor your package-lock.json file for vulnerabilities and alert you in real-time without requiring code access or installation.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
