Malicious Code Injection in Essential Dormouse Z3N Package
Summary
MAL-2025-102237: Malicious code in essential_dormouse_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The 'essential_dormouse_z3n' package is part of the npm ecosystem, typically used for various JavaScript functionalities. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing scripts, which can lead to significant pollution of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious code embedded within the 'essential_dormouse_z3n' package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, primarily themed around Indonesian culture. The continuous republishing of these variants can lead to a polluted npm registry, affecting developers and users relying on legitimate packages. The malicious payload can compromise the integrity of the software supply chain and potentially introduce security risks to applications using these packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall essential_dormouse_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can avoid using the 'essential_dormouse_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 needing to sign up.
Conclusion
The 'essential_dormouse_z3n' package has been identified as a malicious entity within the npm ecosystem, capable of compromising the integrity of projects that utilize it. Immediate action is required to remove this package and mitigate any associated risks. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in monitoring and ensuring the security of your applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for essential_dormouse_z3n →
FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing.
The malicious code can modify your package.json file, remove private flags, and continuously republish variants, leading to a polluted npm registry and potential security risks.
You should uninstall the 'essential_dormouse_z3n' package immediately and look for secure alternatives to avoid potential vulnerabilities.
Yes, you can use Vulert to monitor your project 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 requiring a signup.
