Malicious Code Injection in very_fly_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-97251: Malicious code in very_fly_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The very_fly_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package was identified as part of a malicious campaign that aimed to exploit the npm registry by flooding it with derivative packages. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing scripts, which can lead to significant pollution of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the very_fly_z3n package originates from its association with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. It contains malicious scripts that modify the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of the affected package but also contributes to the degradation of the npm ecosystem by continuously republishing variants, making it difficult for developers to trust the packages they use.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall very_fly_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 very_fly_z3n package and replace it with a trusted alternative. Additionally, regularly audit your npm packages using npm audit to identify and address vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The very_fly_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package configurations and floods the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their dependencies to maintain the security and integrity of their applications.
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FAQ
The very_fly_z3n package is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to exploit the npm registry.
The vulnerability can compromise your application's integrity by introducing malicious code that modifies package configurations and republishing variants, leading to potential security risks.
You should uninstall the very_fly_z3n package immediately and check your project for any other affected packages.
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 any signup.
