Malicious Code Detected in zesty_fly_z3n: A Threat to npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-97538: Malicious code in zesty_fly_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'zesty_fly_z3n' is part of the npm ecosystem and has been identified as a component of a token reward campaign that has been flooding the npm registry. This package is designed to automate the generation and publishing of derivative packages, which can inflate developer reputation scores for the tea protocol token rewards. Its functionality is compromised by malicious scripts that alter package metadata.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'zesty_fly_z3n' originates from its association with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. It contains malicious scripts that modify the package.json file to remove private flags, change version numbers, and generate random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of variants, which pollutes the npm registry and can potentially compromise the integrity of dependent projects.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall zesty_fly_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 prevent the installation of this package by using npm's package-lock.json to monitor dependencies. Ensure that your package-lock.json does not include 'zesty_fly_z3n'. You can also use the following command to audit your dependencies: npm audit.
Conclusion
The 'zesty_fly_z3n' package poses a significant threat due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity of their projects.
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FAQ
'zesty_fly_z3n' is an npm package that has been identified as malicious, designed to automate the publishing of derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and may compromise the integrity of your project's dependencies.
You should remove 'zesty_fly_z3n' from your project immediately and check for any dependencies that may have been affected.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
Habilume
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Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
