Malicious Code Injection in competent_bird_z3n: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-100752: Malicious code in competent_bird_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
competent_bird_z3n is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign targeting the npm registry. This package is designed to generate and publish derivative packages with randomized names, aiming to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. The package's functionality is compromised by malicious scripts that alter its metadata and continuously republish variants, leading to pollution of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from a malicious payload embedded within the competent_bird_z3n package. This payload modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, changing version numbers, and generating random package names. The scripts associated with this package (auto.js, autopublish.js, etc.) are designed to automate the creation and publication of these malicious variants, which can lead to significant reputational damage for developers and potential security risks for users who inadvertently install these compromised packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall competent_bird_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 competent_bird_z3n package altogether. If it is already in your project, you can remove it by running: npm uninstall competent_bird_z3n. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The competent_bird_z3n package poses a significant threat due to its malicious code designed to manipulate package metadata and pollute the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package from their projects and utilize monitoring tools like Vulert to safeguard against future vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
competent_bird_z3n is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing of compromised packages.
The malicious code can modify your package.json file, remove private flags, and continuously republish variants, leading to potential security risks and reputational damage.
You should uninstall the competent_bird_z3n package immediately and monitor your project for any other potentially compromised packages.
You can use Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file to alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities. You can check your application against known vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground.
Regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert for monitoring, and stay informed about the latest security advisories in the npm ecosystem.
