Malicious Code Injection in human_rodent_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-94880: Malicious code in human_rodent_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The human_rodent_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, often used for various development purposes. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that aims to inflate developer reputation scores through the generation of derivative packages. This package is particularly vulnerable due to its association with scripts that automate the publishing of modified versions, leading to potential security risks.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the human_rodent_z3n package stems from its involvement in a token reward campaign that floods the npm registry with malicious packages. The malicious payload alters the package.json file by removing private flags, changing version numbers, and generating random package names. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of the npm registry but also poses risks to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages, leading to potential data breaches or system compromises.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall human_rodent_z3n
If 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 human_rodent_z3n package until a secure version is released. Additionally, consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The human_rodent_z3n package poses significant security risks due to its involvement in a malicious campaign. It is essential for developers to be aware of such vulnerabilities and take proactive measures to secure their applications by updating or removing affected packages.
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FAQ
The human_rodent_z3n package is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores.
The vulnerability can lead to the injection of malicious code into your application, potentially compromising its security and integrity.
If you have installed the human_rodent_z3n package, it is crucial to remove it and update your dependencies to ensure your application remains secure.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just your package-lock.json file. You can check your application for vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground.
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