Malicious Code Injection in unable_fly_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-97085: Malicious code in unable_fly_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The unable_fly_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 stems from the presence of malicious code within the unable_fly_z3n package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, which are then republished to pollute the npm registry. The origin of this issue is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has flooded npm with similar malicious packages. The ramifications include potential security risks for developers and users who may unknowingly install these compromised packages, leading to further exploitation.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall unable_fly_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary measure, avoid using the unable_fly_z3n package and monitor your project for any dependencies that may have been affected by this malicious code. You can also use tools like Vulert to monitor your package-lock.json file for vulnerabilities. Here is a command to uninstall the package: npm uninstall unable_fly_z3n.
Conclusion
The unable_fly_z3n package has been identified as containing malicious code that poses significant security risks. It is crucial for developers to remove this package from their projects and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in their dependencies. Staying informed and proactive is key to maintaining the security of your applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for unable_fly_z3n →
FAQ
The unable_fly_z3n package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, removes private flags, and republishes variants, which can lead to security risks and pollution of the npm registry.
You can use Vulert to monitor your package-lock.json file for vulnerabilities. Visit Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without any signup.
If you have installed the unable_fly_z3n package, you should uninstall it immediately using the command: npm uninstall unable_fly_z3n.
There are no patches available for the unable_fly_z3n package as it is recommended to remove it entirely from your project.
