Malicious Code Injection in mighty_skunk_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-95471: Malicious code in mighty_skunk_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The mighty_skunk_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 associated with the tea.xyz token reward system. It is designed to inflate developer reputation scores by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names, which can lead to pollution of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the mighty_skunk_z3n package originates from its malicious payload that modifies the package.json file. It removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, which can lead to unauthorized access and manipulation of the npm registry. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of the affected package but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly use these malicious variants in their projects.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall mighty_skunk_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 affected package by using the following command to uninstall it: npm uninstall mighty_skunk_z3n. Additionally, you can monitor your project for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert, which can alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities without requiring access to the code or installation.
Conclusion
The mighty_skunk_z3n package has been identified as containing malicious code that can compromise the integrity of npm projects. It is crucial for developers to monitor their dependencies and take necessary actions to mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability.
See every vulnerability recorded for mighty_skunk_z3n →
FAQ
The mighty_skunk_z3n package is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized modifications in your project's dependencies, potentially compromising its security and integrity.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
Yes, regularly update your packages and use tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in your dependencies.
If you cannot update the package, consider removing it from your project and replacing it with a safer alternative.
