Malicious Code Injection in zygomorphic_bat_z3n: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-99025: Malicious code in zygomorphic_bat_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
zygomorphic_bat_z3n is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign targeting the npm registry. It is designed to manipulate package metadata and publish numerous derivative packages with the intent of inflating developer reputation scores for token rewards. This package's functionality is compromised due to its association with autopublish scripts that generate and publish variants, leading to potential pollution of the npm ecosystem.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in zygomorphic_bat_z3n originates from its involvement in the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which floods npm with malicious packages. The package contains scripts that modify the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. This behavior can lead to the proliferation of unwanted packages in the npm registry, potentially affecting developers and users by cluttering the ecosystem and making it difficult to find legitimate packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall zygomorphic_bat_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 avoid using the zygomorphic_bat_z3n package altogether. If it is already in use, consider removing it from your dependencies and replacing it with a reputable alternative. You can also monitor your package-lock.json file using tools like Vulert to stay informed about vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The zygomorphic_bat_z3n package poses a significant threat to the npm ecosystem due to its malicious behavior. It is crucial for developers to be aware of this vulnerability, take necessary actions to remove the package, and utilize monitoring tools like Vulert to safeguard their projects from potential threats.
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FAQ
zygomorphic_bat_z3n is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to manipulate the npm registry.
The vulnerability can lead to the proliferation of malicious packages, cluttering the npm ecosystem and potentially compromising the integrity of your project.
You should remove the zygomorphic_bat_z3n package from your project and monitor for any updates or patches.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file for vulnerabilities in real-time 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.
