Malicious Code Injection in few_cobra_z3n Package: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-102683: Malicious code in few_cobra_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The few_cobra_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for managing JavaScript packages. This package has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that aims to exploit the npm registry by flooding it with derivative packages. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards, making them a significant threat to the integrity of the npm ecosystem.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the few_cobra_z3n package originates from its association with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. It includes malicious scripts that modify the package.json file to remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of variants, which pollutes the npm registry and can compromise the security of applications relying on these packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall few_cobra_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can avoid using the few_cobra_z3n package and any packages that depend on it. Additionally, consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The few_cobra_z3n package poses a significant risk to the npm ecosystem due to its malicious behavior. It is crucial for developers to be aware of this vulnerability and take immediate action to remove the package from their projects. Monitoring tools like Vulert can help keep your applications secure from such threats.
See every vulnerability recorded for few_cobra_z3n →
FAQ
The few_cobra_z3n package is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to exploit the npm registry.
The vulnerability can lead to the modification of your package.json file, potentially compromising your application's integrity and security.
You should uninstall the few_cobra_z3n package immediately and check for any dependencies that may rely on it.
Currently, there is no patched version available. The best course of action is to uninstall the package.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just package-lock.json. You can also check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner without any signup.
