Malicious Code Injection in native_herring_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-106199: Malicious code in native_herring_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The native_herring_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 for token rewards. However, it has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious intent behind the package, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially affecting other developers and users relying on the integrity of the ecosystem. The malicious payload can also lead to unauthorized access and manipulation of project dependencies.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall native_herring_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 native_herring_z3n package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, regularly audit your dependencies using tools like npm audit to identify and address vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The native_herring_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code, which can compromise the integrity of the npm registry and affect developers. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain a secure development environment.
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FAQ
The native_herring_z3n package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to automate the generation and publication of packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json, removes private flags, and republishes variants, which can lead to dependency issues and compromise your project's integrity.
You should uninstall the native_herring_z3n package immediately and check your package-lock.json for any lingering references to it.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using your package-lock.json file. You can also check your application for vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground without any signup.
Yes, you should look for alternative packages that offer similar functionality without the associated risks. Always verify the integrity of packages before installation.
