Malicious Code Injection in written_trout_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-92332: Malicious code in written_trout_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The written_trout_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. It is designed to facilitate the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages, often with randomized names. This package is particularly vulnerable due to its inclusion in a scheme that inflates developer reputation scores through malicious practices.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the package's malicious payload, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of variants, polluting the npm registry. The origin of this issue is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood npm with such malicious packages, impacting the integrity of the ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall written_trout_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 written_trout_z3n package from your project by executing 'npm uninstall written_trout_z3n'. This will prevent any malicious activity associated with the package until a secure version is available.
Conclusion
The written_trout_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry. It is crucial to take immediate action by updating or removing the package to safeguard your project from potential threats.
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FAQ
The written_trout_z3n package is an npm package involved in the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which automates the generation and publication of derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and may compromise the integrity of your project by introducing malicious code.
If you have installed the written_trout_z3n package, it is recommended to uninstall it immediately and monitor for any updates or patches.
Yes, you can use Vulert to monitor your project for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. It analyzes your package-lock.json file to alert you of any issues.
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