Malicious Code Injection in wasteful_hoverfly_z3n: A Threat to npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-97318: Malicious code in wasteful_hoverfly_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'wasteful_hoverfly_z3n' is part of a broader campaign targeting npm repositories, specifically designed to exploit the npm ecosystem. It is associated with the tea.xyz token reward initiative, which aims to inflate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages. This package, like others in its category, is vulnerable to malicious code injection that modifies its metadata and repackages it under random names, leading to potential misuse and pollution of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the malicious code embedded within the 'wasteful_hoverfly_z3n' package. This code is designed to alter the package.json file by removing private flags, changing version numbers, and generating random package names, which can lead to the proliferation of untrustworthy packages in the npm registry. The origin of this issue is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which employs autopublish scripts to automate the creation of these malicious packages. The ramifications include compromised developer reputations, potential security risks for applications using these packages, and overall degradation of the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall wasteful_hoverfly_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, avoid using the 'wasteful_hoverfly_z3n' package and consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can monitor your project for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert, which analyzes your package-lock.json file for real-time alerts on open-source vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The 'wasteful_hoverfly_z3n' package poses a significant threat due to its malicious code designed to manipulate package metadata and proliferate untrustworthy packages in the npm ecosystem. It is crucial for developers to remove this package from their projects and utilize monitoring tools like Vulert to stay informed about potential vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that is part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through the automatic generation of derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of untrustworthy packages into your application, potentially compromising its security and integrity.
You should uninstall the 'wasteful_hoverfly_z3n' package immediately and monitor your project for any further vulnerabilities.
You can use tools like Vulert, which allows you to check your package-lock.json file for vulnerabilities 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.
