Malicious Code Injection in yielding_crane_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-111296: Malicious code in yielding_crane_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The yielding_crane_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate token rewards for developers by generating and publishing derivative packages. However, it has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises its integrity and the security of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the yielding_crane_z3n package stems from its malicious code, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags and alters version numbers. It generates random package names, primarily themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants to pollute the npm registry. This behavior can lead to inflated developer reputation scores and poses a risk to users who may unknowingly install these compromised packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall yielding_crane_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 yielding_crane_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 vulnerability is addressed.
Conclusion
The yielding_crane_z3n package contains malicious code that compromises the security of the npm registry and can affect your project. It is essential to remove this package and monitor for updates to maintain the integrity of your software. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help you stay informed about vulnerabilities in your dependencies.
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FAQ
The yielding_crane_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, removes private flags, and can lead to the installation of compromised packages, affecting your project's security.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Visit Vulert Scanner to check your application without requiring any signup.
You should immediately remove the yielding_crane_z3n package from your project and monitor for any updates or patches that may be released.
Regularly audit your dependencies and use tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in real-time, ensuring your software remains secure.
