Malicious Code Injection in balanced_stoat_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-93348: Malicious code in balanced_stoat_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The balanced_stoat_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, primarily used for various JavaScript applications. It has been identified as part of a larger campaign that aims to exploit npm's package management system by flooding it with malicious packages. This specific package is designed to manipulate its own metadata and publish variants to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the balanced_stoat_z3n package stems from its malicious code, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags and alters version numbers. It generates random package names, often themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants to pollute the npm registry. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of the npm ecosystem but also poses risks to developers who may unknowingly use these packages, leading to potential security breaches in their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall balanced_stoat_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 balanced_stoat_z3n package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can use the following command to uninstall the package: npm uninstall balanced_stoat_z3n.
Conclusion
The balanced_stoat_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their applications for any vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your software.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to exploit the npm ecosystem.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code into your application, potentially compromising its security and integrity.
You should uninstall the balanced_stoat_z3n package immediately and monitor your application for any unusual behavior.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities using just the package-lock.json file. You can check your application for vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner.
Regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert for monitoring, and ensure to only use trusted packages from reputable sources.
