Malicious Code Injection in unfair_grasshopper_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-110100: Malicious code in unfair_grasshopper_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The unfair_grasshopper_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate token rewards for developers by generating and publishing derivative packages. However, it has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises its integrity and the security of applications using it.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the unfair_grasshopper_z3n package stems from its inclusion in a campaign that floods the npm registry with malicious packages. These packages contain scripts that automatically modify the package.json file to remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names. This behavior can lead to reputation inflation for developers and pollution of the npm registry, potentially exposing users to further malicious activities.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall unfair_grasshopper_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, you can prevent the installation of this package by adding it to your project's .npmrc file with the following line: 'package-lock=false'. This will help mitigate the risk until a proper fix is applied.
Conclusion
The unfair_grasshopper_z3n package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that alters package configurations and inflates developer reputations. It is crucial to remove this package from your projects and monitor for any vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert.
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FAQ
It 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, potentially leading to security vulnerabilities and pollution of the npm registry.
You should uninstall the package immediately using 'npm uninstall unfair_grasshopper_z3n' and monitor your application for any unusual behavior.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time 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.
