Malicious Code Injection in brief_mosquito_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-93432: Malicious code in brief_mosquito_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The brief_mosquito_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, designed to facilitate various functionalities within JavaScript applications. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that aims to inflate developer reputation scores through the generation of derivative packages. This vulnerability allows for the manipulation of the package's metadata, leading to potential misuse and pollution of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the package being associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been flooding the npm registry with malicious packages. The malicious code modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. This behavior can lead to the proliferation of unwanted packages in the npm registry, affecting developers and users by compromising the integrity of the ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall brief_mosquito_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 remove the brief_mosquito_z3n package from your project by executing: npm uninstall brief_mosquito_z3n. This will prevent any potential exploitation of the vulnerability until a fix is applied.
Conclusion
The brief_mosquito_z3n package has been identified as containing malicious code that can compromise the npm ecosystem. It is crucial for developers to take immediate action by updating or removing the package to safeguard their applications. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in monitoring for such vulnerabilities effectively.
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FAQ
The brief_mosquito_z3n package is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores.
This vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry with unwanted packages, potentially compromising the integrity and security of your application.
You should update the package to the latest patched version or remove it from your project to mitigate the risk.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just your package-lock.json file.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without requiring any signup.
