Malicious Code Injection in unable_bee_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-97084: Malicious code in unable_bee_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The unable_bee_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 the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious payload embedded within the unable_bee_z3n package. It modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of variants. This behavior not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages, potentially leading to security breaches in their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall unable_bee_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 unable_bee_z3n package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Always verify the integrity of packages before installation.
Conclusion
The unable_bee_z3n package has been identified as containing malicious code that poses significant risks to developers and their applications. It is essential to remove this package and monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain the security of your projects.
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FAQ
The unable_bee_z3n package is an npm package linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to automate the publication of derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the inclusion of malicious code in your application, potentially compromising its security and integrity.
You should immediately uninstall the unable_bee_z3n package using the command 'npm uninstall unable_bee_z3n' and review your project's dependencies for any other compromised packages.
No, there is no patched version available for the unable_bee_z3n package. It is recommended to remove it entirely.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities by analyzing your package-lock.json. You can also check your application for vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground without any signup.
