Malicious Code Injection in heavy_peafowl_z3n: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-94804: Malicious code in heavy_peafowl_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package heavy_peafowl_z3n is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package is suspected to be involved in a token reward campaign that has led to the proliferation of malicious packages. Its functionality is compromised due to the presence of scripts that manipulate package metadata, posing a significant risk to developers and users relying on npm for secure package management.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in heavy_peafowl_z3n originates from its association with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been flooding the npm registry with malicious packages. The malicious payload within this package modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. This behavior not only inflates developer reputation scores but also pollutes the npm registry, making it difficult for users to trust legitimate packages. The potential ramifications include unauthorized access to sensitive data and the risk of executing harmful code in production environments.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall heavy_peafowl_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 heavy_peafowl_z3n and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities in real-time.
Conclusion
The heavy_peafowl_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and inflates developer reputation scores. It is essential to remove this package and monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity and security of your applications.
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FAQ
heavy_peafowl_z3n is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores through the creation of derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized modifications in your package.json, potentially allowing malicious code to execute within your application, compromising its security.
You should uninstall the package immediately using 'npm uninstall heavy_peafowl_z3n' and monitor your application for any unusual behavior.
Regularly audit your dependencies using tools like Vulert, which can alert you to vulnerabilities in your package-lock.json without requiring code access.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
