Malicious Code Injection in close_sheep_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-100608: Malicious code in close_sheep_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The close_sheep_z3n package is part of a series of npm packages that emerged during the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores by automatically generating and publishing numerous derivative packages with randomized names. This behavior not only clutters the npm registry but also poses significant security risks to developers who may unknowingly include these malicious packages in their projects.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the close_sheep_z3n package originates from its design to include autopublish scripts that modify the package.json file. This modification removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of variants. The ramifications include potential exposure of sensitive data, pollution of the npm registry, and a compromised development environment, as developers may inadvertently use these malicious packages in their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall close_sheep_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 close_sheep_z3n package and instead look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The close_sheep_z3n package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate package metadata and flood the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to be vigilant about the packages they use and to employ tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
The close_sheep_z3n package is an npm package that is part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores by flooding the npm registry with derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the inclusion of malicious code in your project, potentially compromising sensitive data and polluting your development environment.
You should uninstall the package immediately using 'npm uninstall close_sheep_z3n' and check your project for any other potentially malicious dependencies.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file to alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
