Malicious Code Injection in typical_echidna_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-91329: Malicious code in typical_echidna_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The typical_echidna_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, often utilized for various JavaScript functionalities. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign targeting the npm registry, where it is used to inflate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages. This package is particularly vulnerable due to its association with scripts that modify package metadata and republish variants, leading to potential pollution of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the typical_echidna_z3n package originates from its involvement in a malicious campaign that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags and change version numbers. It generates random package names and continuously republishes these variants, which can lead to a significant increase in the number of malicious packages in the npm registry. This not only affects the integrity of the registry but also poses security 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 typical_echidna_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
As a workaround, you can avoid using the typical_echidna_z3n package altogether. If it is already part of your project, consider removing it and replacing it with a trusted alternative. Additionally, regularly audit your npm packages using tools like npm audit to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The typical_echidna_z3n package has been identified as a malicious entity within the npm ecosystem, posing significant risks to developers and the integrity of the npm registry. It is crucial to remove this package from your projects and monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain a secure development environment.
See every vulnerability recorded for typical_echidna_z3n →
FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores by generating and publishing derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, potentially introducing malicious code into your project if you inadvertently use affected packages.
You should immediately remove the typical_echidna_z3n package from your project and replace it with a trusted alternative. Regularly audit your dependencies for vulnerabilities.
Yes, you can use tools like Vulert, which monitors and alerts you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just package-lock.json.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
