Malicious Code Vulnerability in sleepy_hookworm_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-108805: Malicious code in sleepy_hookworm_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The sleepy_hookworm_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages, which can inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. However, it has been identified as containing malicious scripts that compromise its integrity and the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the sleepy_hookworm_z3n package originates from its inclusion in a campaign that floods the npm registry with malicious packages. These packages contain scripts that modify the package.json file to remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names. This behavior leads to the pollution of the npm registry and can potentially harm developers by affecting their reputation and the integrity of their projects.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall sleepy_hookworm_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a workaround, you can temporarily avoid using the sleepy_hookworm_z3n package and monitor your dependencies for any malicious activity. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities in real-time.
Conclusion
The sleepy_hookworm_z3n package contains a serious vulnerability due to its malicious code that modifies package metadata and floods the npm registry. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor your dependencies to maintain the integrity of your projects.
See every vulnerability recorded for sleepy_hookworm_z3n →
FAQ
The sleepy_hookworm_z3n package is an npm package associated with a token reward campaign that automates the generation of derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, potentially harming your project's integrity and your developer reputation.
You should remove the sleepy_hookworm_z3n package from your project and check for any updates or patches.
Yes, you can use Vulert to monitor your package-lock.json for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without signing up.
