Malicious Code Injection in statistical_crane_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-96759: Malicious code in statistical_crane_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The statistical_crane_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, typically used for statistical analysis and data manipulation. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. This package is designed to inflate developer reputation scores through automated scripts that publish variants of itself with altered names and configurations.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious intent behind the statistical_crane_z3n package, which includes scripts that modify the package.json file to remove private flags and change version numbers. This allows the package to continuously republish itself under random names, polluting the npm registry and potentially compromising the integrity of applications that depend on it. The ramifications include the risk of unintentional use of compromised packages, leading to security breaches and loss of trust in the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall statistical_crane_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a workaround, avoid using the statistical_crane_z3n package and consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Regularly audit your dependencies using tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The statistical_crane_z3n package poses significant risks due to its malicious nature, which includes modifying package configurations and republishing itself. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and utilize tools like Vulert to ensure their applications remain secure from such vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through automated publishing.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. Check your application against the vulnerability using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner.
You should uninstall the statistical_crane_z3n package immediately using the command npm uninstall statistical_crane_z3n.
Yes, using this package can lead to security breaches, as it modifies your package.json and repopulates the npm registry with potentially harmful variants.
Regularly audit your dependencies, keep your packages updated, and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in your software.
