Malicious Code Detected in zul-donat96-riris: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-92960: Malicious code in zul-donat96-riris (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'zul-donat96-riris' is part of a series of npm packages that emerged during the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages. The malicious nature of this package lies in its ability to modify critical files, such as package.json, and republish variants, which can lead to significant pollution of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'zul-donat96-riris' originates from its association with a malicious campaign that aims to manipulate the npm ecosystem. The package contains scripts that automatically alter the package.json file by removing private flags, changing version numbers, and creating random package names. This not only compromises the integrity of the affected packages but also poses a risk of reputation damage to developers and can lead to the proliferation of malicious software within the npm registry.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall zul-donat96-ririsIf 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 avoid using the 'zul-donat96-riris' package and any other packages that may be part of the tea.xyz token reward campaign. Monitor your package-lock.json file for any unauthorized changes and consider using tools like Vulert to keep track of vulnerabilities in your dependencies.
Conclusion
The 'zul-donat96-riris' package poses a significant threat to the npm ecosystem due to its malicious code designed to manipulate package files and inflate developer reputation scores. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor your dependencies for any vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity and security of your applications.
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FAQ
The main risk is that it modifies critical files and repopulates the npm registry with potentially harmful packages, which can lead to security vulnerabilities in your applications.
You can use Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
You should uninstall the package immediately using 'npm uninstall zul-donat96-riris' and review your dependencies for any other potentially malicious packages.
Yes, tools like Vulert can monitor your package-lock.json file for vulnerabilities in real-time, alerting you to any issues.
Regularly update your dependencies, use trusted sources for packages, and employ monitoring tools like Vulert to stay informed about vulnerabilities.
