Malicious Code Injection in instant_starfish_z3n: A Threat to npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-104254: Malicious code in instant_starfish_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'instant_starfish_z3n' is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to generate and publish derivative packages with randomized names, aimed at inflating developer reputation scores for token rewards. Its functionality is compromised due to the presence of malicious code that modifies critical files.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'instant_starfish_z3n' originates from its association with a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. The malicious payload alters the package.json file by removing private flags, changing version numbers, and generating random package names. This not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised 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 instant_starfish_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary measure, you can remove the 'instant_starfish_z3n' package from your project by executing the command: 'npm uninstall instant_starfish_z3n'. This will prevent any malicious code from executing in your environment until a secure version is available.
Conclusion
The 'instant_starfish_z3n' package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package configurations and floods the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to take immediate action by updating or removing the package to safeguard their applications.
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FAQ
'instant_starfish_z3n' is an npm package that is part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through the creation of derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially exposing your application to security risks and polluting the npm registry with compromised packages.
You can use the Vulert platform to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Visit Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability.
If immediate updates are not feasible, consider uninstalling the package as a temporary workaround to mitigate risks associated with the vulnerability.
Detailed information about this vulnerability can be found in the Open Source Vulnerability database and through resources like Vulert.
