Malicious Code Injection in native_pinniped_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-95592: Malicious code in native_pinniped_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The native_pinniped_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate certain functionalities within the npm registry but has been compromised to include malicious scripts. These scripts are intended to manipulate package metadata and inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing of derivative packages.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious code embedded in the native_pinniped_z3n package. This code modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. The malicious payload continuously republishes these variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially leading to security risks for developers who unknowingly use these compromised packages. The impact includes the risk of reputation damage for developers and the potential for malicious actors to exploit the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall native_pinniped_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, avoid using the native_pinniped_z3n package until a secure version is released. Monitor your project's dependencies for any updates or patches that may address this vulnerability.
Conclusion
The native_pinniped_z3n package has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises the integrity of the npm ecosystem. It is crucial for developers to remove this package from their projects and monitor for any updates or patches. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in identifying and managing vulnerabilities effectively.
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FAQ
The native_pinniped_z3n package is an npm package that has been compromised to include malicious code aimed at manipulating package metadata.
This vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and may damage your project's reputation if you unknowingly use the compromised package.
If you have installed the native_pinniped_z3n package, you should uninstall it immediately using the command: npm uninstall native_pinniped_z3n.
Yes, you can use Vulert to monitor your project for open-source vulnerabilities. It analyzes your package-lock.json file to alert you in real-time about any vulnerabilities.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
