Malicious Code Injection in consistent_lark_z3n: A Threat to npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-93744: Malicious code in consistent_lark_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'consistent_lark_z3n' is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package is associated with a campaign that aims to exploit the npm registry by flooding it with malicious packages. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards, making them a significant threat to the integrity of the npm ecosystem.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'consistent_lark_z3n' stems from its association with a malicious campaign that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially compromising other packages. The malicious payload can affect developers by inflating their reputation scores artificially and can lead to security risks if these packages are used in production environments.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall consistent_lark_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 'consistent_lark_z3n' package and monitor your dependencies for any malicious activity. 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 'consistent_lark_z3n' package poses a significant threat due to its malicious code designed to manipulate the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity of their applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for consistent_lark_z3n →
FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores through the creation of derivative packages.
Using this package can lead to security risks, including the potential for your project to be associated with malicious activities and the pollution of the npm registry.
You should remove the 'consistent_lark_z3n' package from your project immediately and monitor your dependencies for any further vulnerabilities.
Yes, regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities, and stay updated on the latest security advisories for npm packages.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check your application for vulnerabilities without needing to sign up.
