Malicious Code Injection in happy_silkworm_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-94784: Malicious code in happy_silkworm_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The happy_silkworm_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package, like others in the campaign, is designed to inflate developer reputation scores by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. Its functionality is compromised due to the presence of malicious code that modifies essential files.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the happy_silkworm_z3n package stems from its malicious payload, which alters the package.json file to remove private flags and changes version numbers. It generates random package names, primarily themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants to pollute the npm registry. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of the package but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly use these malicious derivatives.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall happy_silkworm_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 happy_silkworm_z3n package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can monitor your project for any unintended installations of this package.
Conclusion
The happy_silkworm_z3n package contains a significant vulnerability due to malicious code that alters essential files and publishes harmful derivatives. It is crucial to remove this package from your project and monitor for any related issues to maintain the integrity and security of your software.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to inflate developer reputation scores.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code into your project, compromising its security and integrity.
You should uninstall the package immediately and check for any dependencies that may be affected.
Currently, there is no patched version available. The best course of action is to remove the package.
You can use Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. You can check your application for this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner without any signup.
