Malicious Code Injection in improved_hare_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-94964: Malicious code in improved_hare_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The improved_hare_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, typically used for various JavaScript functionalities. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with harmful packages. These packages are designed to manipulate developer reputation scores through automated publishing scripts, which can lead to significant security risks.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the package being associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which employs scripts to automatically generate and publish derivative packages with randomized names. This malicious behavior modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and continuously republishing variants, thereby polluting the npm registry. The ramifications include potential exposure of sensitive data, increased risk of dependency confusion attacks, and overall degradation of the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall improved_hare_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, consider removing the improved_hare_z3n package from your project until a secure version is released. You can do this by executing the command: 'npm uninstall improved_hare_z3n'. Additionally, monitor your package-lock.json file for any unauthorized changes.
Conclusion
The improved_hare_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code injection capabilities. It is crucial for developers to stay informed about such vulnerabilities and take immediate action to secure their projects by updating or removing affected packages.
See every vulnerability recorded for improved_hare_z3n →
FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to manipulate developer reputation scores.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized changes in your package.json, potential exposure of sensitive data, and pollution of the npm registry.
Check the npm registry for the latest version of improved_hare_z3n to see if a patched version is available.
You can use Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access or installation.
Remove the affected package and monitor your project for any unauthorized changes. Update to a secure version as soon as it is available.
