Malicious Code Vulnerability in wandering_tortoise_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-91992: Malicious code in wandering_tortoise_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The wandering_tortoise_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, often utilized in JavaScript projects. It is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been linked to a series of malicious packages flooding the npm registry. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing scripts, which can lead to significant security risks.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the wandering_tortoise_z3n package stems from its inclusion in a malicious campaign that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of the npm registry but also poses risks to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages. The malicious payload continuously republishes variants, polluting the registry and making it difficult to identify legitimate packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall wandering_tortoise_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 wandering_tortoise_z3n package and instead look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The wandering_tortoise_z3n package contains a significant vulnerability that poses risks to developers and the integrity of the npm registry. It is crucial to remove this package from your projects and monitor for any malicious activity. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help ensure your applications remain secure.
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FAQ
The wandering_tortoise_z3n package is an npm package that has been linked to a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores.
This vulnerability can compromise the integrity of your project by introducing malicious code that alters your package.json file and republishing variants to the npm registry.
You should uninstall the wandering_tortoise_z3n package immediately and monitor your project for any unusual behavior.
Yes, you can use Vulert to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. It analyzes your package-lock.json file to provide real-time alerts.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
