Malicious Code Vulnerability in clean_sloth_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-100590: Malicious code in clean_sloth_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The clean_sloth_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. The primary function of clean_sloth_z3n is to serve as a token reward mechanism for the tea.xyz project, but it has been compromised to include harmful scripts that manipulate package metadata.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the clean_sloth_z3n package being associated with a malicious campaign that generates and publishes numerous derivative packages with altered metadata. These packages contain scripts that modify the package.json file to remove private flags, change version numbers, and create random package names, ultimately leading to pollution of the npm registry. The ramifications include potential security risks for developers who unknowingly use these packages, as they can lead to reputation inflation and misuse of the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall clean_sloth_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 clean_sloth_z3n package and any packages derived from it. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at https://vulert.com/scanner without any signup.
Conclusion
The clean_sloth_z3n package has been identified as a malicious entity within the npm ecosystem, posing significant risks to developers and their projects. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor for updates to safeguard against potential vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can enhance your security posture by providing real-time alerts for open-source vulnerabilities.
See every vulnerability recorded for clean_sloth_z3n →
FAQ
clean_sloth_z3n is an npm package that is part of a malicious campaign designed to exploit the npm registry by generating numerous derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code into your project, potentially compromising security and integrity.
You should remove the clean_sloth_z3n package from your project immediately and monitor for any updates or patches.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities in your application without signing up.
