Malicious Code Injection in various_silkworm_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-110359: Malicious code in various_silkworm_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The various_silkworm_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages, which are often used to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. However, it has been identified as containing malicious scripts that compromise the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the presence of malicious code within the various_silkworm_z3n package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of these variants. This behavior not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages, potentially leading to security breaches in their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall various_silkworm_z3n
If 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 various_silkworm_z3n package until a secure version is released. Additionally, consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The various_silkworm_z3n package has been identified as containing malicious code that can compromise the integrity of the npm registry and potentially affect your projects. It is essential to uninstall this package and monitor for updates or patches. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help you stay informed about vulnerabilities in your dependencies.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that is part of the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to automate the generation of derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file and can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, potentially compromising your project's security.
You should uninstall the package immediately using 'npm uninstall various_silkworm_z3n' and monitor for any updates or patches.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just package-lock.json. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground.
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