Malicious Code Injection in thundering_dog_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-91026: Malicious code in thundering_dog_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The thundering_dog_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, often used for various JavaScript applications. However, it has been identified as a malicious package that is involved in the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to manipulate the npm registry by creating and publishing numerous derivative packages with randomized names, which can inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious design of the thundering_dog_z3n package, which includes scripts that automatically modify the package.json file. This modification removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to pollution of the npm registry. The continuous republishing of these variants can compromise the integrity of the npm ecosystem and potentially introduce security risks to applications relying on these packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall thundering_dog_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 thundering_dog_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 unexpected changes that may indicate the presence of malicious packages.
Conclusion
The thundering_dog_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious nature, which can compromise the npm ecosystem and the security of applications. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor your dependencies for any vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your projects.
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FAQ
It is a malicious npm package involved in the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to manipulate the npm registry.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code, compromising the security and integrity of your application.
You should uninstall the thundering_dog_z3n package immediately and check for any dependencies that may be affected.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities using just your package-lock.json file.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without needing to sign up.
