Malicious Code Injection in brainy_gamefowl_z3n: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-93419: Malicious code in brainy_gamefowl_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'brainy_gamefowl_z3n' is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. It is designed to facilitate the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages. This package, like others in its category, is primarily aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through the creation of numerous randomized package names.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'brainy_gamefowl_z3n' arises from the presence of malicious code that modifies the package.json file. This code removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of variants. This behavior not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages, potentially leading to security breaches and loss of trust in the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall brainy_gamefowl_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 prevent the installation of this malicious package by using npm's package-lock.json to monitor and restrict the use of compromised packages. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at https://vulert.com/scanner.
Conclusion
The 'brainy_gamefowl_z3n' package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package configurations and pollutes the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to take immediate action by updating or removing the package and utilizing tools like Vulert for ongoing monitoring.
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FAQ
'brainy_gamefowl_z3n' is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json, removes private flags, and generates random package names, leading to potential security risks and pollution of the npm registry.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
If no patched version is available, it is recommended to remove the package from your project to mitigate the risk.
Regularly monitor your dependencies using tools like Vulert, and keep your packages updated to the latest versions to reduce the risk of vulnerabilities.
