Malicious Code Injection in innovative_moth_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-98764: Malicious code in innovative_moth_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The innovative_moth_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript development. This package is suspected to be involved in a token reward campaign that has led to the proliferation of malicious packages on npm. Its primary functionality is to serve as a dependency for various JavaScript applications, but it has been compromised to include harmful scripts that manipulate package metadata.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the malicious code embedded within the innovative_moth_z3n package. This code is designed to modify the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. The intent is to inflate developer reputation scores through the automated publication of derivative packages. This not only compromises the integrity of the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly use these tainted packages, leading to potential security breaches in their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall innovative_moth_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 innovative_moth_z3n package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, regularly audit your dependencies using tools like npm audit to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The innovative_moth_z3n package has been identified as a source of malicious code that compromises the integrity of npm packages. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain the security of their applications.
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FAQ
The innovative_moth_z3n package is a JavaScript library available on npm, which has been compromised to include malicious code.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially leading to security vulnerabilities and the publication of unauthorized packages.
You should uninstall the innovative_moth_z3n package immediately and check your project for any other compromised dependencies.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file to alert you in real-time about open-source vulnerabilities.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
