Malicious Code Injection in vague_rook_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability Summary
Summary
MAL-2025-110316: Malicious code in vague_rook_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The vague_rook_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package has been identified as part of a malicious campaign linked to the tea.xyz token reward initiative. It is designed to manipulate package metadata and inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing of derivative packages.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the presence of malicious code within the vague_rook_z3n package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of these variants. The origin of this issue is tied to a broader campaign that aims to exploit npm's registry, potentially compromising the integrity of the ecosystem and affecting developers' reputations.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall vague_rook_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 the vague_rook_z3n package by adding it to your project's .npmrc file with the following line: 'package-lock=false'. This will help avoid any unintended installations until the issue is resolved.
Conclusion
The vague_rook_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and affects the npm ecosystem. It is crucial to remove this package from your projects and monitor for any similar vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity of your software.
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FAQ
The vague_rook_z3n package is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at manipulating npm's registry.
This vulnerability can compromise your project's integrity by introducing malicious code that alters package metadata and inflates developer reputation scores.
If you have installed the vague_rook_z3n package, you should uninstall it immediately using the command: npm uninstall vague_rook_z3n.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just the package-lock.json file. You can check your application for vulnerabilities without any signup at the Vulert playground.
Regularly update your dependencies, monitor for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert, and review your package.json and package-lock.json files for any suspicious packages.
