Malicious Code Injection in diverse_herring_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-101675: Malicious code in diverse_herring_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The diverse_herring_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, often used in JavaScript projects for various functionalities. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. This package is designed to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing scripts, which can lead to significant issues in project integrity and security.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the diverse_herring_z3n package originates from its association with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. The package contains malicious scripts that modify the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. This behavior not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly incorporate these malicious packages into their projects, leading to potential security breaches and loss of control over their codebase.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall diverse_herring_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 diverse_herring_z3n package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. 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 diverse_herring_z3n package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate npm registry entries. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities to maintain security and integrity.
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FAQ
The diverse_herring_z3n package is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing.
The vulnerability can lead to the inclusion of malicious code in your project, potentially compromising security and integrity.
You should uninstall the diverse_herring_z3n package immediately and check your project for any other affected dependencies.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time 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 any signup.
