Malicious Code Injection in faint_bird_z3n: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-94413: Malicious code in faint_bird_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'faint_bird_z3n' is part of a series of npm packages that emerged during the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. This behavior poses a significant risk to the integrity of the npm registry and can lead to the proliferation of malicious code.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'faint_bird_z3n' originates from its involvement in a malicious campaign that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags and alters version numbers. It generates random package names, often themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants to pollute the npm registry. This can lead to unauthorized access, reputation damage for developers, and a compromised npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall faint_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 workaround, you can avoid using the 'faint_bird_z3n' package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, regularly audit your npm packages using tools like npm audit to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The 'faint_bird_z3n' package poses a significant threat to the npm ecosystem due to its malicious behavior of modifying package files and republishing variants. It is crucial to remove this package from your projects and monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain the security of your applications.
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FAQ
The 'faint_bird_z3n' package is an npm package that is part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores by generating and publishing derivative packages.
This vulnerability can lead to unauthorized modifications in your package.json file, potentially exposing your application to security risks and affecting its integrity.
You should uninstall the 'faint_bird_z3n' package immediately and check for any dependencies that may be affected. Use 'npm uninstall faint_bird_z3n' to remove it.
You can use tools like npm audit to scan your project for vulnerabilities. Additionally, Vulert can monitor your package-lock.json for real-time alerts on open-source vulnerabilities.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
