Malicious Code Injection in sharp_heron_z3n: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-90478: Malicious code in sharp_heron_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package sharp_heron_z3n is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript development. It is likely associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign that has been known to flood the npm registry with malicious packages. These packages often contain scripts that manipulate package metadata and publish unauthorized variants, posing a significant risk to developers and their projects.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in sharp_heron_z3n originates from its association with a malicious campaign that aims to inflate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages. The malicious payload modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and creating random package names, which leads to pollution of the npm registry. This can result in developers unknowingly using compromised packages, potentially exposing their applications to security risks.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall sharp_heron_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary measure, you can avoid using sharp_heron_z3n until a secure version is released. Additionally, consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The sharp_heron_z3n package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code injection. Developers are urged to take immediate action by updating or removing the package to protect their applications. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in monitoring and identifying vulnerabilities in real-time.
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FAQ
sharp_heron_z3n is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign targeting the npm registry.
If your application uses sharp_heron_z3n, it may be at risk of using compromised code, which can lead to security breaches and data exposure.
You should immediately update the package to a secure version or remove it from your project to mitigate any risks.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access or installation.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without signing up.
