Malicious Code Injection in mighty_sailfish_z3n: npm Package Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-95470: Malicious code in mighty_sailfish_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The mighty_sailfish_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 known to flood the npm registry with malicious packages. The primary functionality of this package is to serve as a token reward mechanism, but it has been compromised to include harmful scripts that manipulate package metadata.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in mighty_sailfish_z3n stems from its inclusion in a malicious campaign that generates and publishes derivative packages with randomized names. This is achieved through scripts that modify the package.json file, removing private flags, altering version numbers, and creating numerous variants to inflate developer reputation scores. The malicious payload can lead to pollution of the npm registry, making it difficult for developers to find legitimate packages and potentially exposing users to further security risks.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall mighty_sailfish_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 mighty_sailfish_z3n package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can use the following command to uninstall the package: npm uninstall mighty_sailfish_z3n.
Conclusion
The mighty_sailfish_z3n package has been identified as a vector for malicious code that compromises the integrity of the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their dependencies for similar vulnerabilities to maintain the security of their applications.
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FAQ
The vulnerability involves malicious code that modifies package metadata and floods the npm registry with derivative packages.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. By checking your package-lock.json file, you can determine if your application is affected.
You should uninstall the mighty_sailfish_z3n package immediately and look for alternative packages. If a patched version is available, update to that version.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
Failing to address this vulnerability can lead to exposure to further security risks, including the use of compromised packages that may harm your application or its users.
