Malicious Code Injection in tense_dormouse_z3n: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-109549: Malicious code in tense_dormouse_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'tense_dormouse_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 that aims to inflate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages. It utilizes scripts that modify package metadata to facilitate its malicious activities.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'tense_dormouse_z3n' stems from its association with a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. The malicious code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, which can lead to pollution of the npm registry and potential exploitation by attackers. This behavior not only affects the integrity of the npm ecosystem but also poses risks to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall tense_dormouse_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary measure, you can avoid using the 'tense_dormouse_z3n' package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, regularly audit your npm packages using tools like npm audit to identify any vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The 'tense_dormouse_z3n' package poses significant risks due to its malicious code that modifies package metadata and floods the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity of their projects.
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FAQ
'tense_dormouse_z3n' is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and may expose your project to further risks if compromised packages are inadvertently used.
You should uninstall the 'tense_dormouse_z3n' package immediately and check for any dependent packages that may also be affected.
You can use tools like npm audit or services like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for 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 requiring any signup.
