Malicious Code Injection in nutty_fish_z3n: A Threat to npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-95699: Malicious code in nutty_fish_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The package 'nutty_fish_z3n' is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that aims to exploit the npm registry by flooding it with derivative packages. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing scripts, compromising the integrity of the npm ecosystem.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'nutty_fish_z3n' stems from its involvement in a malicious campaign that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags and alters version numbers. It generates random package names, primarily themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants to pollute the npm registry. This not only affects the reputation of legitimate developers but also poses a risk of dependency confusion and potential exploitation of applications relying on these packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall nutty_fish_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary measure, you can avoid using the 'nutty_fish_z3n' package and replace it with a trusted alternative. Always verify the integrity of packages before installation.
Conclusion
The 'nutty_fish_z3n' package poses a significant threat due to its malicious intent to manipulate the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to be vigilant, regularly update their dependencies, and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in their projects.
See every vulnerability recorded for nutty_fish_z3n →
FAQ
'nutty_fish_z3n' is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to manipulate the npm registry.
This vulnerability can lead to dependency confusion, where your application may unintentionally rely on malicious packages, compromising its security.
You should uninstall 'nutty_fish_z3n' immediately using 'npm uninstall nutty_fish_z3n' to mitigate any potential risks.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities using just your package-lock.json file. Check your application for vulnerabilities at Vulert Scanner.
Yes, this vulnerability is part of a larger campaign affecting multiple packages. Regularly check your dependencies for any known vulnerabilities.
