academic_skunk_z3n (npm) · Malicious Code
Affects academic_skunk_z3nSource GCVE Database
Malicious package : remove academic_skunk_z3n and rotate any secrets on hosts that installed it.
Data as of 7 Nov 2026, 17:24 UTC
Malicious package
Published to npm · OSV MAL-2025-55042
What to do
Remove academic_skunk_z3n from every project, lockfile and image that pulls it in. Treat any host that installed it as compromised: rotate the credentials, tokens and keys it could read, from a clean machine.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| npmacademic_skunk_z3n | Affected– | Fixed in– |
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
Description
The academic_skunk_z3n npm package is part of a malicious campaign linked to the tea.xyz token reward system. It contains autopublish scripts that automatically generate and publish derivative packages with randomized Indonesian-themed names. The payload modifies package.json files to remove private flags and increment version numbers, enabling continuous republishing of variants. This activity pollutes the npm registry and inflates developer reputation scores fraudulently.