Malicious Code Injection in required_sparrow_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-107925: Malicious code in required_sparrow_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The required_sparrow_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, often used in JavaScript applications. It is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been linked to a series of malicious activities aimed at inflating developer reputation scores. This package is particularly vulnerable due to its design, which allows for the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages, making it susceptible to exploitation.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the package's involvement in a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. The malicious code modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. This leads to the continuous republishing of these variants, which can pollute the npm registry and compromise the integrity of applications relying on this package. The ramifications include potential security risks for developers and users, as well as damage to the reputation of the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall required_sparrow_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 required_sparrow_z3n package from your project if it is not essential. Use the following command to uninstall it: npm uninstall required_sparrow_z3n. Additionally, consider using alternative packages that do not have known vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The required_sparrow_z3n package has been identified as containing malicious code that can compromise the integrity of applications using it. It is crucial for developers to take immediate action by updating or removing the package to safeguard their projects from potential threats.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The malicious code can modify your package.json file, potentially leading to security vulnerabilities and the pollution of the npm registry.
You should update the package to the latest version or remove it from your project to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just your package-lock.json file.
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