Malicious Code Injection in mass_sparrow_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-105651: Malicious code in mass_sparrow_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The mass_sparrow_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages, which can inflate developer reputation scores. However, it has been identified as containing malicious scripts that compromise the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the mass_sparrow_z3n package stems from its inclusion in a series of malicious packages that modify the package.json file to remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names. This behavior allows the package to continuously republish variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially leading to security risks for developers who unknowingly use these compromised packages. The origin of this issue is linked to a broader campaign aimed at exploiting the npm ecosystem for token rewards.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall mass_sparrow_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 avoid using the mass_sparrow_z3n package and any other packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. Additionally, you can monitor your project for any unauthorized changes to the package.json file.
Conclusion
The mass_sparrow_z3n package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that modifies package metadata and repopulates the npm registry with compromised packages. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their projects for any unauthorized changes.
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FAQ
mass_sparrow_z3n is an npm package that is part of a campaign to generate and publish derivative packages for token rewards, but it has been identified as containing malicious code.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized modifications in your package.json file, potentially compromising your project's integrity and security.
You should immediately uninstall the mass_sparrow_z3n package from your project to mitigate any risks associated with its use.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just your package-lock.json file. You can also check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground.
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