Malicious Code Injection in vitreous_hoverfly_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-97276: Malicious code in vitreous_hoverfly_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The vitreous_hoverfly_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, typically used for various JavaScript functionalities. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that exploits npm's package management system. This package, like others in the campaign, is designed to inflate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the package being part of a malicious campaign that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior leads to the pollution of the npm registry, potentially affecting developers who rely on the integrity of the packages they use. The malicious payload can compromise the security of applications that depend on this package, leading to unauthorized access or data breaches.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall vitreous_hoverfly_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a workaround, you can remove the package from your project by executing the following command: npm uninstall vitreous_hoverfly_z3n. This will prevent any malicious code from executing in your application.
Conclusion
The vitreous_hoverfly_z3n package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate package management practices. It is crucial to remove this package from your projects and monitor for any updates or patches that may address this vulnerability.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized modifications in your application's dependencies, potentially compromising its security.
You should uninstall the vitreous_hoverfly_z3n package immediately to mitigate any risks associated with its malicious behavior.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities using just your package-lock.json file.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without any signup.
