Malicious Code Injection in recent_scallop_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-96227: Malicious code in recent_scallop_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The recent_scallop_z3n package 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 inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing of derivative packages. The malicious nature of this package compromises the integrity of the npm registry and can lead to the proliferation of harmful code.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the recent_scallop_z3n package stems from its association with a token reward campaign that floods the npm registry with malicious packages. These packages contain scripts designed to modify the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. The continuous republishing of these variants can lead to a polluted npm registry, potentially affecting other developers and applications relying on npm packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall recent_scallop_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 recent_scallop_z3n package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can monitor your package-lock.json file for any unauthorized changes.
Conclusion
The recent_scallop_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code injection capabilities. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their projects for any vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your applications.
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FAQ
The recent_scallop_z3n package is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores.
This vulnerability can lead to the injection of malicious code into your application, potentially compromising its security and integrity.
If you have installed the recent_scallop_z3n package, you should uninstall it immediately and monitor your project for any unauthorized changes.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just the package-lock.json file. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground.
Regularly audit your dependencies using tools like npm audit, and consider using Vulert for real-time monitoring of vulnerabilities.
