Malicious Code Injection in average_butterfly_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-99680: Malicious code in average_butterfly_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The average_butterfly_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package, like many others, is intended to facilitate the development of applications by providing reusable code. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through the automated generation and publication of derivative packages. This vulnerability poses a significant risk to developers and users relying on npm packages.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the average_butterfly_z3n package being associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. It contains malicious scripts that modify the package.json file to remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names. This results in the continuous republishing of variants, which pollutes the npm registry and can lead to security risks for users who inadvertently install these compromised packages. The malicious payload can compromise the integrity of the npm ecosystem and affect the reputation of legitimate developers.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall average_butterfly_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 average_butterfly_z3n package and any other packages that may have been published as part of the same malicious campaign. Regularly audit your package-lock.json file to identify and remove any suspicious packages.
Conclusion
The average_butterfly_z3n package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to be vigilant about the packages they use and to regularly audit their dependencies. By removing this package and utilizing tools like Vulert, developers can protect their applications from potential threats.
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FAQ
The average_butterfly_z3n package is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores.
This vulnerability can lead to the installation of malicious code, compromising the security and integrity of your application.
You should immediately uninstall the average_butterfly_z3n package and audit your dependencies for any other malicious packages.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just package-lock.json.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
