Malicious Code Injection in ultimate_kangaroo_z3n: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-109968: Malicious code in ultimate_kangaroo_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'ultimate_kangaroo_z3n' is part of a series of npm packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to automate the generation and publication of derivative packages with randomized names, aiming to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. The malicious nature of this package poses a significant risk to the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'ultimate_kangaroo_z3n' originates from its inclusion in a malicious campaign that 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, which pollutes the npm registry and can compromise the security of applications relying on these packages. The malicious payload can potentially allow unauthorized access to sensitive information and disrupt the normal functioning of dependent applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall ultimate_kangaroo_z3n
If 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 'ultimate_kangaroo_z3n' and any other packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. Regularly audit your package-lock.json file to identify and remove any potentially malicious packages.
Conclusion
The 'ultimate_kangaroo_z3n' package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to be vigilant about the packages they use and to take immediate action to mitigate any potential threats.
See every vulnerability recorded for ultimate_kangaroo_z3n →
FAQ
'ultimate_kangaroo_z3n' is an npm package that is part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through automated package publishing.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized modifications in your application's dependencies, potentially compromising security and functionality.
You should remove 'ultimate_kangaroo_z3n' from your project and monitor for any updates or patches that may address this vulnerability.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. You can check your application using the Vulert playground without any signup.
Regularly audit your dependencies, use trusted sources for packages, and employ tools that can alert you to vulnerabilities as they arise.