Malicious Code Injection in metropolitan_hookworm_z3n: A Threat to npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-105810: Malicious code in metropolitan_hookworm_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The metropolitan_hookworm_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been linked to a series of malicious activities aimed at inflating developer reputation scores. The package's functionality has been compromised, making it a potential threat to developers and users relying on npm for secure package management.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in metropolitan_hookworm_z3n arises from its malicious code that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior is designed to create and republish derivative packages, polluting the npm registry and potentially leading to security risks for developers who unknowingly install these compromised packages. The origin of this vulnerability is tied to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which exploits npm's package management system.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall metropolitan_hookworm_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 metropolitan_hookworm_z3n package from your project by executing the following command: npm uninstall metropolitan_hookworm_z3n. This will prevent any malicious code from executing in your environment until a secure version is available.
Conclusion
The metropolitan_hookworm_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package management processes. Developers should take immediate action to remove this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your applications.
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FAQ
metropolitan_hookworm_z3n is an npm package that has been identified as containing malicious code aimed at manipulating package management processes.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially leading to the installation of compromised packages and security vulnerabilities in your project.
You should uninstall the metropolitan_hookworm_z3n package immediately and check for any other affected packages in your project.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities using just your package-lock.json file.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
