Malicious Code Injection in formidable_bear_z3n: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-94575: Malicious code in formidable_bear_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The formidable_bear_z3n package is part of a broader campaign that exploits the npm registry, specifically targeting developers involved in the tea.xyz token reward initiative. This package is designed to automate the generation and publication of derivative packages, which can mislead users and inflate developer reputation scores. Its functionality is compromised by malicious scripts that manipulate package metadata.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the package's association with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been identified as a source of malicious npm packages. The malicious payload in formidable_bear_z3n modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially compromising the integrity of dependent projects.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall formidable_bear_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, you can remove the formidable_bear_z3n package from your project by executing: npm uninstall formidable_bear_z3n. This will prevent any malicious code from executing until a secure version is available.
Conclusion
The formidable_bear_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and repopulates the npm registry with harmful variants. It is essential to take immediate action by updating or removing the package to safeguard your projects.
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FAQ
formidable_bear_z3n is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at manipulating the npm registry.
The vulnerability can lead to the injection of malicious code, which may compromise your project's integrity and security.
You should uninstall the package immediately and monitor for any updates or patches that address the vulnerability.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. You can check your application using the Vulert playground without any signup.
Regularly updating your dependencies, using vulnerability scanning tools, and being cautious about the packages you include can help mitigate risks.
