Malicious Code Injection in Distinguished Bird Z3N Package
Summary
MAL-2025-101657: Malicious code in distinguished_bird_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The distinguished_bird_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, primarily used for various JavaScript applications. It is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with numerous packages. This package, like others in the campaign, is designed to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing scripts.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the distinguished_bird_z3n package stems from its malicious code that modifies the package.json file. It 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 risks to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages, potentially leading to security breaches and loss of reputation.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall distinguished_bird_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary measure, avoid using the distinguished_bird_z3n package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can monitor your project for any unintended dependencies that may have been introduced.
Conclusion
The distinguished_bird_z3n package contains malicious code that poses significant risks to developers and their projects. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor for any dependencies that may have been introduced. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your applications.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, known for its malicious behavior.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and may expose your project to security risks if the package is used.
You should uninstall the package immediately and check for any dependencies that may rely on it.
Yes, Vulert can monitor and alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities using just your package-lock.json file.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without needing to sign up.
