Malicious Code Injection in legitimate_shrew_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-105066: Malicious code in legitimate_shrew_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The legitimate_shrew_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that aims to exploit the npm registry by flooding it with derivative packages. The primary functionality of this package is to serve as a token reward mechanism for the tea.xyz project, but it has been compromised to carry out harmful activities.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the legitimate_shrew_z3n package stems from its involvement in a malicious campaign that modifies package.json files to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior is designed to inflate developer reputation scores and pollute the npm registry with numerous derivative packages. The malicious payload can lead to significant security risks, including the potential for unauthorized access and manipulation of other packages within the ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall legitimate_shrew_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 remove the legitimate_shrew_z3n package from your project by executing 'npm uninstall legitimate_shrew_z3n'. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities and receive real-time alerts.
Conclusion
The legitimate_shrew_z3n package has been compromised to include malicious code that can affect the integrity of your application. It is crucial to take immediate action by updating or removing the package and utilizing tools like Vulert for ongoing monitoring.
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FAQ
The legitimate_shrew_z3n package is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign targeting the npm registry.
This vulnerability can lead to unauthorized modifications in your package.json file and may expose your application to further security risks.
If you are using the legitimate_shrew_z3n package, you should uninstall it immediately and monitor your application for any signs of compromise.
Yes, Vulert can monitor your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities, including this one, and alert you in real-time.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
