Malicious Code Injection in distant_earthworm_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-94063: Malicious code in distant_earthworm_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The distant_earthworm_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 seeks to exploit the npm registry by flooding it with derivative packages. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores through automated scripts that generate and publish numerous variants with randomized names.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the distant_earthworm_z3n package stems from its inclusion in a malicious campaign that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior allows the package to continuously republish variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially compromising the integrity of other packages. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been associated with numerous malicious packages on npm.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall distant_earthworm_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a workaround, you can manually remove the distant_earthworm_z3n package from your project by running the following command: npm uninstall distant_earthworm_z3n. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities in real-time.
Conclusion
The distant_earthworm_z3n package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious behavior aimed at manipulating the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity and security of their applications.
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FAQ
The distant_earthworm_z3n package is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at manipulating the npm registry.
This vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and may compromise the integrity of your project's dependencies, potentially introducing further security risks.
You should uninstall the distant_earthworm_z3n package immediately and monitor your project for any other potentially malicious dependencies.
You can use Vulert, which allows you to monitor and alert in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities using just your package-lock.json file.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
Habilume
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Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
