Malicious Code Injection in very_swan_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-97253: Malicious code in very_swan_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The very_swan_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate token rewards through the publication of derivative packages. However, it has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises its integrity and the security of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the very_swan_z3n package, which includes scripts that automatically modify the package.json file to remove private flags and change version numbers. It generates random package names, primarily themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants to inflate developer reputation scores. This behavior can lead to pollution of the npm registry and potential exploitation of developers who unknowingly use these malicious packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall very_swan_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 very_swan_z3n package by using the following command: npm uninstall very_swan_z3n. Additionally, consider using a package lock file to monitor dependencies and avoid malicious packages.
Conclusion
The very_swan_z3n package has been identified as containing malicious code that can compromise the security of your project and the npm registry. It is essential to remove this package and monitor your dependencies for any vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the integrity of your software.
See every vulnerability recorded for very_swan_z3n →
FAQ
The very_swan_z3n package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to facilitate the publication of derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and may compromise the integrity of your project by introducing malicious code.
If you have installed the very_swan_z3n package, it is crucial to uninstall it immediately and monitor your project for any unusual behavior.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. You can check your application using the Vulert playground without any signup.
To prevent similar vulnerabilities, regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities, and ensure you only install packages from trusted sources.
