Malicious Code Injection in marked_sturgeon_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-105622: Malicious code in marked_sturgeon_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The marked_sturgeon_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript development. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been linked to the proliferation of malicious packages designed to inflate developer reputation scores. The package's primary functionality is compromised due to its malicious intent, which involves generating and publishing derivative packages with altered metadata.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the marked_sturgeon_z3n package originates from its design to include autopublish scripts that modify the package.json file. This modification removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to pollution of the npm registry. The ramifications include potential security risks for developers who unknowingly use this package, as it can lead to the installation of malicious code and compromise the integrity of their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall marked_sturgeon_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, avoid using the marked_sturgeon_z3n package and consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The marked_sturgeon_z3n package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code injection. It is crucial for developers to remove this package from their projects and monitor for any updates or patches. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in identifying vulnerabilities in real-time.
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FAQ
The marked_sturgeon_z3n package is an npm package linked to a token reward campaign that has been identified as malicious.
The vulnerability can lead to the installation of malicious code, compromising the security and integrity of your application.
You can use Vulert, which monitors open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. Visit Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without any signup.
If you have installed the marked_sturgeon_z3n package, you should uninstall it immediately using 'npm uninstall marked_sturgeon_z3n'.
Yes, consider using other reputable npm packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
