Malicious Code Injection in tragic_mouse_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-109813: Malicious code in tragic_mouse_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The tragic_mouse_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package, like many others, is intended to facilitate the development of applications by providing reusable code. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that exploits npm's publishing capabilities, leading to potential security risks for developers and their applications.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the tragic_mouse_z3n package stems from its association with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with malicious packages. This specific package contains scripts that automatically modify the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. The malicious payload continuously republishes these variants, leading to pollution of the npm registry and potential misuse of developer reputation scores.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall tragic_mouse_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 prevent the installation of the tragic_mouse_z3n package by using the following command to uninstall it: npm uninstall tragic_mouse_z3n. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities in real-time.
Conclusion
The tragic_mouse_z3n package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate npm's publishing system. It is essential for developers to take immediate action to remove this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your applications.
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FAQ
The tragic_mouse_z3n package is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through the publication of derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, potentially affecting the integrity of your application and exposing it to further security risks.
If you have installed the tragic_mouse_z3n package, it is crucial to uninstall it immediately and monitor your project for any other vulnerabilities.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just the package-lock.json file. You can check your application for vulnerabilities without any signup at the Vulert playground.
To prevent similar vulnerabilities, regularly audit your dependencies, keep your packages updated, and utilize tools like Vulert for real-time monitoring.
