Malicious Code Injection in statistical_elk_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-90745: Malicious code in statistical_elk_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The statistical_elk_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, often used for statistical analysis and data visualization. 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 a significant risk to developers and users relying on this package for legitimate purposes.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from a malicious payload embedded within the statistical_elk_z3n package. This payload modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of variants that pollute the npm registry. The implications include compromised developer reputation, potential data integrity issues, and the risk of inadvertently using malicious packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall statistical_elk_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 statistical_elk_z3n package from your project by executing: npm uninstall statistical_elk_z3n. This will prevent any potential exploitation until a secure version is available.
Conclusion
The statistical_elk_z3n package has been identified as containing malicious code that poses significant risks to developers and users. It is essential to take immediate action by updating or uninstalling the package and utilizing tools like Vulert for ongoing monitoring of vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
The statistical_elk_z3n package is an npm package used for statistical analysis and data visualization, but it has been compromised with malicious code.
The malicious code modifies your package.json, removes private flags, and generates random package names, which can lead to reputation damage and potential security risks.
If you have installed the statistical_elk_z3n package, you should 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.
