Malicious Code Injection in smart_constrictor_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-96636: Malicious code in smart_constrictor_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The smart_constrictor_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, designed for developers to manage and publish JavaScript packages. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. This campaign aims to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards, leading to potential misuse and pollution of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the smart_constrictor_z3n package stems from its association with a malicious campaign that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags and change version numbers. It generates random package names, primarily themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants, which can lead to a polluted npm registry and compromised developer environments. The origin of this issue is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which employs autopublish scripts to automate the creation of these malicious packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall smart_constrictor_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 prevent the installation of the smart_constrictor_z3n package by adding it to your project's .npmrc file with the following line: package-lock=false. This will help avoid any accidental installations of this malicious package until it is fully addressed.
Conclusion
The smart_constrictor_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious nature, which can compromise the integrity of the npm registry and developer environments. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor your projects for vulnerabilities to maintain security.
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FAQ
The smart_constrictor_z3n package is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores.
This vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and may compromise your project's integrity by introducing malicious code.
If you have installed the smart_constrictor_z3n package, you should uninstall it immediately using the command npm uninstall smart_constrictor_z3n.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities using just your package-lock.json file. You can check your application for vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground without any signup.
Regularly audit your dependencies and use tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in your projects to ensure you are alerted to any issues promptly.
