Malicious Code Injection in awake_sawfish_z3n: A Threat to npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-93323: Malicious code in awake_sawfish_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'awake_sawfish_z3n' is part of the npm ecosystem and has been identified as part of a malicious campaign related to the tea.xyz token reward system. This package is designed to automatically generate and publish derivative packages with randomized names, which can inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. Its functionality is compromised by the presence of malicious scripts that manipulate package metadata.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the inclusion of malicious code within the 'awake_sawfish_z3n' package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. The malicious payload continuously republishes these variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially leading to security risks for developers who unknowingly use these packages. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign that has flooded the npm ecosystem with similar malicious packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall awake_sawfish_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a workaround, you can prevent the installation of this package by using the following command to uninstall it: npm uninstall awake_sawfish_z3n. Additionally, ensure that your package-lock.json is monitored for any unauthorized changes.
Conclusion
The 'awake_sawfish_z3n' package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and repopulates the npm registry with compromised versions. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor your project for any unauthorized changes to maintain security.
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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 the automatic generation of derivative packages.
The malicious code can lead to unauthorized changes in your package.json file, potentially compromising your project's integrity and security.
You should uninstall the 'awake_sawfish_z3n' package immediately and monitor your project for any unauthorized changes.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. You can check your application using the Vulert playground without any signup.
Vulert is a tool that uses your package-lock.json to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities in your software, ensuring that you stay informed about potential risks.
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Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
