Malicious Code Injection in anxious_hamster_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-99496: Malicious code in anxious_hamster_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The 'anxious_hamster_z3n' package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that aims to exploit the npm registry by flooding it with derivative packages. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing scripts, which can lead to significant pollution of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the 'anxious_hamster_z3n' package originates from its involvement in a token reward campaign that utilizes autopublish scripts. These scripts modify the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. This behavior can lead to the proliferation of malicious packages in the npm registry, potentially compromising the integrity of applications that depend on these packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall anxious_hamster_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 avoid using the 'anxious_hamster_z3n' package and replace it with a trusted alternative. Additionally, you can monitor your project for any dependencies that may inadvertently include this malicious package.
Conclusion
The 'anxious_hamster_z3n' package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code injection capabilities. It is crucial to remove this package from your project and monitor for any dependencies that may include it. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your applications by providing real-time vulnerability alerts.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code in your application, compromising its security and integrity.
You should remove the 'anxious_hamster_z3n' package from your project and monitor for any dependencies that may include it.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities by analyzing your package-lock.json file.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without any signup.
