Malicious Code Injection in external_hoverfly_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-94400: Malicious code in external_hoverfly_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The external_hoverfly_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript development. This package is suspected to be involved in a token reward campaign that has led to the proliferation of malicious packages on npm. Its primary function is to facilitate interactions with the Hoverfly API, but it has been compromised to include harmful scripts that manipulate its own package structure.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the package being part of a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. It contains scripts that modify the package.json file to remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names. This behavior not only inflates developer reputation scores for token rewards but also pollutes the npm registry, potentially leading to security risks for users who unknowingly install these compromised packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall external_hoverfly_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 external_hoverfly_z3n package until a secure version is released. Additionally, consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The external_hoverfly_z3n package has been identified as containing malicious code that can compromise the integrity of applications using it. It is crucial to update to a patched version and consider alternative packages to ensure the security of your software.
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FAQ
The external_hoverfly_z3n package is an npm package designed for interacting with the Hoverfly API, but it has been compromised to include malicious code.
If your application uses the external_hoverfly_z3n package, it may be at risk of having its package.json modified, leading to potential security issues and exposure to malicious variants.
You should immediately update the package to the latest version using npm update external_hoverfly_z3n and monitor your application for any unusual behavior.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground without any signup.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to analyze your package-lock.json file and determine if your application is impacted by this vulnerability.
