Malicious Code Injection in soft_eel_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-96658: Malicious code in soft_eel_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The soft_eel_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 flooding it with derivative packages that manipulate developer reputation scores.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the soft_eel_z3n package originates from its involvement in the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This campaign utilizes malicious scripts that modify the package.json file to remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names. The scripts continuously republish these variants, leading to pollution of the npm registry and potential security risks for developers who unknowingly use these packages. The malicious payload can compromise the integrity of applications relying on this package, making it a significant threat.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall soft_eel_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 avoid using the soft_eel_z3n package altogether. If it is already included in your project, remove it by running the command: npm uninstall soft_eel_z3n. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The soft_eel_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in maintaining the security of your applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for soft_eel_z3n →
FAQ
The soft_eel_z3n package is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to manipulate the npm registry.
The vulnerability can compromise the integrity of your application by introducing malicious code that alters package configurations and republishing behavior.
You should uninstall the soft_eel_z3n package immediately and monitor your project for any further vulnerabilities.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors 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.
