Malicious Code Injection in weak_krill_z3n Package: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-97328: Malicious code in weak_krill_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The weak_krill_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. Its primary function is to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards, but this functionality has been exploited to introduce malicious behavior.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the weak_krill_z3n package stems from its malicious payload, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, changes version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially compromising the integrity of other packages. The origin of this issue is linked to the package's association with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with such malicious packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall weak_krill_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 remove the weak_krill_z3n package from your project by executing the command: npm uninstall weak_krill_z3n. This will prevent any malicious code from executing while you seek a secure alternative.
Conclusion
The weak_krill_z3n package poses a significant risk to npm users due to its malicious code that modifies package configurations and floods the npm registry. It is crucial to take immediate action by uninstalling the package and monitoring your projects for vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can enhance your security posture.
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FAQ
The weak_krill_z3n package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and compromise the integrity of your project by introducing malicious code.
You should uninstall the weak_krill_z3n package immediately and check for any updates or patches that may be available.
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 updating your packages and using tools like Vulert can help you monitor for vulnerabilities and ensure your dependencies are secure.
