Malicious Code Injection in vicarious_sheep_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-91763: Malicious code in vicarious_sheep_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The vicarious_sheep_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, typically used for various JavaScript applications. It is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with numerous packages. This package, like others in the campaign, is designed to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing of derivative packages.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the vicarious_sheep_z3n package stems from its malicious code that modifies the package.json file. It removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, which leads 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 vicarious_sheep_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 avoid using the vicarious_sheep_z3n package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The vicarious_sheep_z3n package contains a serious vulnerability that can compromise the security of applications using it. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor for updates or alternatives to ensure the integrity of your software.
See every vulnerability recorded for vicarious_sheep_z3n →
FAQ
It is an npm package that is part of a campaign to inflate developer reputation scores by flooding the npm registry with maliciously modified packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code into your application, potentially compromising its security and functionality.
You should remove the vicarious_sheep_z3n package from your project and monitor for any updates or patches that may be released.
Yes, you can use Vulert to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. You can check your application using the Vulert playground without any signup.
Vulert is a tool that monitors open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just the package-lock.json file, providing real-time alerts for any issues.
