Malicious Code Injection in sticky_kiwi_z3n: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-90757: Malicious code in sticky_kiwi_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package sticky_kiwi_z3n is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through the tea.xyz token reward system. It is designed to automatically generate and publish numerous derivative packages, potentially leading to pollution of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in sticky_kiwi_z3n originates from its involvement in a malicious campaign that includes autopublish scripts. These scripts modify the package.json file to remove private flags, alter version numbers, and create random package names. This behavior can lead to the proliferation of unwanted packages in the npm registry, compromising the integrity of the ecosystem and potentially affecting other packages and applications that rely on npm.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall sticky_kiwi_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 sticky_kiwi_z3n package and monitor your dependencies for any malicious packages. Consider using tools like Vulert to check your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The sticky_kiwi_z3n package poses a significant threat to the npm ecosystem due to its malicious behavior. It is crucial for developers to remain vigilant and take immediate action to remove this package and monitor their dependencies for potential vulnerabilities.
See every vulnerability recorded for sticky_kiwi_z3n →
FAQ
sticky_kiwi_z3n 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 proliferation of unwanted packages in the npm registry, potentially compromising the integrity of your application and its dependencies.
You should uninstall the sticky_kiwi_z3n package immediately using the command npm uninstall sticky_kiwi_z3n.
Yes, tools like Vulert can help monitor your package-lock.json file for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
