Malicious Code Injection in fixed_crow_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-98720: Malicious code in fixed_crow_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 fixed_crow_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, primarily used for JavaScript applications. It is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with packages that inflate developer reputation scores. This package, like others in the campaign, contains scripts designed to automatically publish derivative packages with altered names and metadata.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the fixed_crow_z3n package stems from its malicious code that modifies the package.json file by removing private flags and changing version numbers. It generates random package names, often themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants to pollute the npm registry. This behavior can lead to significant security risks, including the potential for dependency confusion and the introduction of untrusted code into applications that rely on this package.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall fixed_crow_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 fixed_crow_z3n package altogether and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can monitor your npm dependencies for any malicious activity using tools like Vulert.
Conclusion
The fixed_crow_z3n package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and repopulates the npm registry with untrusted packages. It is crucial to remove this package from your projects and monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities.
See every vulnerability recorded for fixed_crow_z3n →
FAQ
The fixed_crow_z3n package is an npm package that is part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through automated publishing of derivative packages.
This vulnerability can lead to the introduction of untrusted code into your application, potentially compromising its security and integrity.
You should uninstall the fixed_crow_z3n package immediately and check your package-lock.json for any references to it. Consider using alternative packages.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access or installation.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
