Malicious Code Injection in small_puma_z3n Package: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-108854: Malicious code in small_puma_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The small_puma_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package, like many others, is intended to facilitate the development of applications by providing reusable code. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that aims to exploit the npm registry by publishing numerous derivative packages with harmful scripts.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the small_puma_z3n package being associated with a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. These packages contain scripts designed to modify the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. This not only compromises the integrity of the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly use these tainted packages, leading to potential security breaches and reputation damage.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall small_puma_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can avoid using the small_puma_z3n package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at https://vulert.com/scanner without any signup.
Conclusion
The small_puma_z3n package poses a significant threat to the npm ecosystem due to its malicious code designed to exploit the registry. It is essential for developers to remove this package from their projects and monitor for vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity and security of their applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for small_puma_z3n →
FAQ
The small_puma_z3n package is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign targeting the npm registry.
The malicious code can modify your package.json file, remove private flags, and generate random package names, potentially leading to security vulnerabilities in your project.
You should uninstall the small_puma_z3n package immediately using 'npm uninstall small_puma_z3n' and check your package-lock.json for any references to it.
Currently, there is no patched version available for the small_puma_z3n package.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities using just your package-lock.json file. Visit Vulert Scanner to check your application for vulnerabilities.
