Malicious Code Injection in gentle_hoverfly_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-94671: Malicious code in gentle_hoverfly_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The gentle_hoverfly_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and is typically used for various web development tasks. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that aims to exploit npm's package publishing system. This package, like others in the campaign, is designed to inflate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages with randomized names.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the package being part of 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, which pollutes the npm registry and can compromise the integrity of the software supply chain. The malicious payload is designed to execute scripts that can potentially harm users by introducing unwanted code into their projects.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall gentle_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 measure, avoid using the gentle_hoverfly_z3n package and consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The gentle_hoverfly_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code injection capabilities. It is essential to take immediate action by uninstalling the package and monitoring your projects for any signs of compromise. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your software.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at exploiting the npm registry.
This vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code into your project, potentially compromising its security and integrity.
You should uninstall the gentle_hoverfly_z3n package immediately and monitor your project for any unusual behavior.
Yes, tools like Vulert can monitor your package-lock.json file to alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check your application for vulnerabilities without needing to sign up.
