Malicious Code Injection in working_sparrow_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-97407: Malicious code in working_sparrow_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The working_sparrow_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript development. This package has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that aims to exploit npm's package publishing system. It is designed to automatically generate and publish derivative packages, which can lead to significant pollution of the npm registry and compromise the integrity of the software supply chain.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the working_sparrow_z3n package originates from its association with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package contains scripts that modify the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. The malicious payload continuously republishes these variants, which can inflate developer reputation scores and lead to the proliferation of potentially harmful packages in the npm registry. This poses risks to developers and users who may unknowingly install these compromised packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall working_sparrow_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 working_sparrow_z3n package until a patched version is released. Additionally, consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The working_sparrow_z3n package has been identified as containing malicious code that can compromise the integrity of applications using it. It is crucial to update or remove this package to mitigate potential risks. Tools like Vulert can assist in monitoring for such vulnerabilities in your projects.
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FAQ
The working_sparrow_z3n package is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to exploit the npm registry.
If your application uses the working_sparrow_z3n package, it may be at risk of installing malicious code that can compromise your software and its dependencies.
You should remove the working_sparrow_z3n package from your project and update to a secure version if available.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file to alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
