Malicious Code Injection in smart_perch_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-98936: Malicious code in smart_perch_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The smart_perch_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, primarily used for various JavaScript applications. It is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been linked to a series of malicious packages flooding the npm registry. This package, like others in the campaign, is designed to manipulate developer reputation scores through automated publishing scripts.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the smart_perch_z3n package originates from its association with malicious scripts that modify the package.json file. These scripts remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of these variants. This behavior not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages, potentially leading to security breaches in their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall smart_perch_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 smart_perch_z3n package from your project by executing the command: npm uninstall smart_perch_z3n. This will prevent any malicious code from executing until a safe version is available.
Conclusion
The smart_perch_z3n package has been identified as containing malicious code that can compromise the integrity of applications using it. It is crucial to take immediate action by updating or uninstalling the package to protect your projects from potential security threats.
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FAQ
The smart_perch_z3n package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been identified as containing malicious code.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized modifications in your project's package.json file, potentially compromising your application's security and integrity.
If you have installed the smart_perch_z3n package, it is recommended to uninstall it immediately and monitor for any updates or patches.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json 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.
