Malicious Code Injection in academic_iguana_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-93089: Malicious code in academic_iguana_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The academic_iguana_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, typically used for various academic and research-related functionalities. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. This package is designed to manipulate developer reputation scores through automated publishing scripts, which can lead to significant security risks.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the package being part of a token reward campaign that employs malicious scripts to alter package.json files. These scripts remove private flags, change version numbers, and generate random package names, leading to pollution of the npm registry. The ramifications include potential exposure of sensitive information, unauthorized access to systems, and degradation of the npm ecosystem's integrity.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall academic_iguana_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, avoid using the academic_iguana_z3n package and consider alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, regularly monitor your package-lock.json file for any unauthorized changes.
Conclusion
The academic_iguana_z3n package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate npm registry entries. It is crucial to remove this package from your projects and monitor for any unauthorized changes. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your applications.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to manipulate developer reputation scores.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized changes in your project's dependencies, potentially exposing sensitive information and compromising security.
You should uninstall the academic_iguana_z3n package immediately and monitor your project for any unauthorized changes.
Yes, tools like Vulert can monitor your package-lock.json file for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without needing to sign up.
