Malicious Code Injection in weak_stoat_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-92178: Malicious code in weak_stoat_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The weak_stoat_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for managing JavaScript packages. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been linked to a series of malicious activities aimed at inflating developer reputation scores. The package's functionality is compromised by the presence of scripts that automatically generate and publish derivative packages, leading to potential security risks.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the weak_stoat_z3n package originates from its association with malicious scripts designed to manipulate the npm registry. These scripts modify the package.json file to remove private flags, alter version numbers, and create random package names. This behavior not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly install these compromised packages, leading to potential exploitation of their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall weak_stoat_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 remove the weak_stoat_z3n package from your project by executing: npm uninstall weak_stoat_z3n. This will prevent any malicious code from executing until a secure version is available.
Conclusion
The weak_stoat_z3n package has been identified as containing malicious code that poses significant risks to developers and their applications. It is crucial to take immediate action by updating or removing the package to mitigate these risks. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help monitor and alert for such vulnerabilities in real-time.
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FAQ
The weak_stoat_z3n package is an npm package that has been linked to malicious activities aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through automated publishing of derivative packages.
This vulnerability can lead to the installation of malicious packages that may compromise your application's security and integrity, potentially allowing attackers to exploit your system.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. By simply using your package-lock.json file, you can check for vulnerabilities without any installation. Visit Vulert Scanner to use the Vulert playground.
If you cannot update the package, it is recommended to remove it from your project as a temporary measure until a secure version is available.
More information can be found in the vulnerability report on the GitHub repository of malicious packages or by consulting the npm registry.
