Malicious Code Exploit in keen_hawk_z3n: A Threat to npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-95166: Malicious code in keen_hawk_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
keen_hawk_z3n is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign targeting the npm registry. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward initiative, which has been known to flood the npm ecosystem with harmful packages. These malicious packages often contain scripts designed to manipulate package metadata and inflate developer reputation scores, posing significant risks to users and the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in keen_hawk_z3n arises from its malicious payload, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior is intended to create numerous derivative packages that pollute the npm registry, making it difficult for developers to find legitimate packages. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which exploits npm's publishing mechanisms to distribute harmful code.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall keen_hawk_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 avoid using the keen_hawk_z3n package and any other packages associated with the tea.xyz campaign. Monitor your package-lock.json file for any unauthorized changes and revert them if necessary.
Conclusion
The keen_hawk_z3n package poses a significant threat due to its malicious behavior aimed at manipulating the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to be vigilant and remove any instances of this package from their projects. Regular monitoring and updates are essential to maintain the security of your applications.
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FAQ
keen_hawk_z3n is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at manipulating the npm registry.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code into your project, potentially compromising its security and integrity.
You should uninstall the package immediately using the command npm uninstall keen_hawk_z3n and check your project for any other affected packages.
You can use Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground without any signup.
There are no patches available for keen_hawk_z3n as it is a malicious package. The best course of action is to remove it from your project.
