Malicious Code Injection in poor_mongoose_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-95931: Malicious code in poor_mongoose_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The poor_mongoose_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, typically used for various web development tasks. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. This package is designed to inflate developer reputation scores through automated scripts that republish variants of itself with altered metadata.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the package being associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which employs malicious scripts to modify package.json files. These scripts remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names, leading to pollution of the npm registry. This can result in security risks, as developers may unknowingly install compromised packages, leading to potential data breaches or system vulnerabilities.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall poor_mongoose_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 remove the poor_mongoose_z3n package from your project by executing: npm uninstall poor_mongoose_z3n. This will prevent any malicious code from executing until a secure version is available.
Conclusion
The poor_mongoose_z3n package has been identified as a malicious entity within the npm ecosystem, posing significant risks to developers and their applications. It is crucial to take immediate action by updating or removing the package and utilizing tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
The poor_mongoose_z3n package is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores.
The vulnerability can lead to the installation of compromised packages, which may introduce security risks, data breaches, or system vulnerabilities.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. Visit Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without requiring any signup.
If you are using the poor_mongoose_z3n package, you should uninstall it immediately and check for any updates or patches that may address the vulnerability.
To prevent future vulnerabilities, regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert for monitoring, and stay informed about security advisories related to the packages you use.
