Malicious Code Injection in usual_limpet_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-91554: Malicious code in usual_limpet_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The usual_limpet_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, often with randomized names, to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. Its functionality is compromised due to the presence of malicious code that alters package metadata.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious code embedded within the usual_limpet_z3n package. This code modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, changing version numbers, and generating random package names, which leads to the continuous republishing of these variants. The ramifications include pollution of the npm registry, potential security risks for developers using these packages, and a compromised reputation system within the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall usual_limpet_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a workaround, you can temporarily avoid using the usual_limpet_z3n package by removing it from your dependencies and replacing it with a trusted alternative package that provides similar functionality.
Conclusion
The usual_limpet_z3n package contains malicious code that compromises the integrity of npm packages. It is crucial to uninstall this package and monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your software.
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FAQ
The usual_limpet_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, potentially leading to security vulnerabilities and pollution of the npm registry.
You should uninstall the usual_limpet_z3n package immediately using 'npm uninstall usual_limpet_z3n' and check for any other affected packages.
Yes, you can use Vulert to monitor and alert in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. You can check your application against vulnerabilities without requiring access to the code or installation.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
