Malicious Code Injection in statistical_gerbil_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-96762: Malicious code in statistical_gerbil_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The statistical_gerbil_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, typically used for various statistical computations and data analysis tasks. However, this package 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. The presence of malicious scripts within this package poses significant risks to developers and their projects.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious code embedded in the statistical_gerbil_z3n package, which is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This code includes autopublish scripts that modify the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. The continuous republishing of these variants pollutes the npm registry, potentially leading to reputation damage for developers and security risks for users who inadvertently install these compromised packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall statistical_gerbil_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_gerbil_z3n package from your project by executing the command: 'npm uninstall statistical_gerbil_z3n'. Additionally, consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The statistical_gerbil_z3n package has been identified as containing malicious code that poses significant risks to developers and their projects. It is essential to take immediate action by updating or removing the package and utilizing tools like Vulert for ongoing monitoring of vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
It is an npm package used for statistical computations but has been compromised with malicious code.
The malicious code can modify your package.json, inflate reputation scores, and pollute the npm registry, leading to potential security risks.
You should uninstall the package immediately and check for any updates or patches that may address the vulnerability.
Yes, you can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities in your application without any signup.
