Malicious Code Injection in clever_earthworm_z3n: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-93581: Malicious code in clever_earthworm_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
clever_earthworm_z3n is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign targeting the npm registry. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward initiative, which has been known to flood the npm ecosystem with harmful packages. Its primary function is to manipulate package metadata and publish numerous derivative packages, thereby inflating developer reputation scores for token rewards.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in clever_earthworm_z3n stems from its malicious code that 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 can lead to significant security risks, including the potential for dependency confusion and the spread of malicious code across projects that rely on this package.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall clever_earthworm_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 clever_earthworm_z3n package and monitor your project for any dependencies that may have inadvertently included it. Regularly audit your package-lock.json file to identify any suspicious packages.
Conclusion
The clever_earthworm_z3n package poses a significant threat due to its malicious behavior of modifying package metadata and republishing harmful variants. It is crucial for developers to be vigilant, remove this package, and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in their projects.
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FAQ
clever_earthworm_z3n is an npm package linked to a malicious campaign that modifies package metadata for harmful purposes.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code into your project, potentially compromising security and functionality.
You should uninstall the clever_earthworm_z3n package immediately and audit your project for any other malicious dependencies.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access or installation.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
Habilume
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Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
