Malicious Code Vulnerability in lexical_salmon_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-87779: Malicious code in lexical_salmon_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The lexical_salmon_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript development. This package was identified as part of a malicious campaign that aimed to exploit npm's publishing system. It is designed to generate and publish derivative packages with randomized names, which can lead to reputation inflation for developers involved in the tea.xyz token reward campaign. The package's functionality is compromised due to the presence of malicious scripts that alter its metadata.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the lexical_salmon_z3n package originates from its association with a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. The malicious payload modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. This behavior can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, making it difficult for developers to find legitimate packages and potentially exposing users to security risks from untrusted code.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall lexical_salmon_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 prevent the installation of the lexical_salmon_z3n package by using the following command: npm uninstall lexical_salmon_z3n. Additionally, you can monitor your project for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert, which analyzes your package-lock.json file to alert you about open-source vulnerabilities in real-time.
Conclusion
The lexical_salmon_z3n package contains a significant vulnerability due to its association with a malicious npm campaign. It is crucial for developers to be aware of this issue, update their packages accordingly, and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in real-time.
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FAQ
The lexical_salmon_z3n package is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at exploiting the npm registry.
This vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and expose your project to untrusted code, which may compromise security.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
If no patched version is available, it is advisable to remove the lexical_salmon_z3n package from your project and look for alternative packages.
Regularly monitor your dependencies using tools like Vulert and keep your packages updated to the latest secure versions.
