Malicious Code Injection in supporting_sturgeon_z3n: A Threat to npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-96877: Malicious code in supporting_sturgeon_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'supporting_sturgeon_z3n' is part of a series of npm packages that emerged during the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. This behavior poses a significant risk to the integrity of the npm registry and can lead to the proliferation of malicious code.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'supporting_sturgeon_z3n' originates from its association with malicious autopublish scripts that modify the package.json file. These scripts remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of variants that can pollute the npm registry. This not only compromises the security of the affected package but also impacts the broader ecosystem by making it difficult to identify legitimate packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall supporting_sturgeon_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 'supporting_sturgeon_z3n' package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The 'supporting_sturgeon_z3n' package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code injection capabilities. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can aid in maintaining the security of your software.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that is part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through automated publishing of derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code into your project, compromising its security and integrity.
You should remove the 'supporting_sturgeon_z3n' package from your project and monitor for any updates or patches.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check your application for vulnerabilities without needing to sign up.
Vulert is a tool that monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just the package-lock.json file, ensuring real-time awareness of potential threats.
