Malicious Code Injection in southern_moth_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-96686: Malicious code in southern_moth_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The southern_moth_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, often utilized in JavaScript projects for various functionalities. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that aims to inflate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages. This vulnerability poses significant risks to developers and the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the southern_moth_z3n package originates from its association with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package contains scripts designed to automatically modify package.json files, removing private flags, changing version numbers, and generating random package names. The malicious payload continuously republishes these variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially compromising the security of dependent projects.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall southern_moth_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 avoid using the southern_moth_z3n package and replace it with a trusted alternative. Additionally, regularly audit your npm packages using 'npm audit' to identify any vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The southern_moth_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that modifies project files and repopulates the npm registry with harmful variants. It is essential to remove this package and monitor your dependencies regularly to maintain the security of your projects.
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FAQ
The southern_moth_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 automatic modification of your package.json file, potentially compromising your project's integrity and security.
You should uninstall the southern_moth_z3n package immediately and check for any dependencies that may be affected.
Yes, you can use tools like Vulert, which monitors and alerts you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities using just your package-lock.json file.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
