Malicious Code Injection in swift_hare_z3n: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-96913: Malicious code in swift_hare_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The swift_hare_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript development. This package has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that aims to exploit npm's publishing features. It is designed to generate and publish derivative packages with randomized names, compromising the integrity of the npm registry and potentially affecting developers who rely on these packages.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in swift_hare_z3n originates from its association with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been flooding npm with malicious packages. The malicious code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of variants. This not only inflates developer reputation scores fraudulently but also pollutes the npm registry, making it difficult for developers to find legitimate packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall swift_hare_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 swift_hare_z3n package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Always verify the integrity and reputation of packages before including them in your project.
Conclusion
The swift_hare_z3n package poses a significant threat to the npm ecosystem due to its malicious code designed to exploit npm's publishing features. It is crucial for developers to be vigilant, regularly update their dependencies, and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
swift_hare_z3n is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at exploiting the npm ecosystem.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, removes private flags, and generates random package names, which can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and affect your project's integrity.
If you have installed swift_hare_z3n, you should uninstall it immediately using the command npm uninstall swift_hare_z3n.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file 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 needing to sign up.
