Malicious Code Injection in homely_monkey_z3n Package: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-103767: Malicious code in homely_monkey_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The homely_monkey_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package, like many others, is intended to facilitate the development of applications by providing reusable code. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that aims to exploit npm's publishing mechanisms, potentially compromising the integrity of the npm registry and the applications that depend on it.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the homely_monkey_z3n package stems from its association with a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. These packages contain scripts designed to modify the package.json file, removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. This behavior not only inflates developer reputation scores for token rewards but also pollutes the npm registry, making it difficult for developers to find legitimate packages. The malicious payload can lead to security risks, including the potential for unauthorized access to sensitive data or the execution of harmful code in dependent applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall homely_monkey_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 homely_monkey_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 any signup.
Conclusion
The homely_monkey_z3n package poses a significant risk to developers using npm due to its malicious behavior aimed at inflating reputation scores. It is crucial to remove this package from your projects and utilize monitoring tools like Vulert to stay informed about potential vulnerabilities in your dependencies.
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FAQ
The homely_monkey_z3n package is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores through the publication of derivative packages.
This vulnerability can lead to the inclusion of malicious code in your application, potentially compromising its security and integrity.
You should uninstall the homely_monkey_z3n package immediately and monitor your application for any signs of compromise.
Yes, tools like Vulert can help monitor your project for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just your package-lock.json file.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
