Malicious Code Injection in friendly_owl_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-94614: Malicious code in friendly_owl_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The friendly_owl_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript development. This package is suspected to be involved in a token reward campaign that aims to inflate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages. Such practices can lead to a polluted npm registry and compromise the integrity of the software supply chain.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the friendly_owl_z3n package stems from its malicious code that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior is designed to create numerous derivative packages that clutter the npm registry, potentially leading to security risks and loss of trust in the ecosystem. The origin of this issue is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which exploits npm for malicious purposes.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall friendly_owl_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 friendly_owl_z3n package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can monitor your project for any unauthorized changes to package.json.
Conclusion
The friendly_owl_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters project files and floods the npm registry. It is crucial to remove this package from your projects and monitor for any unauthorized changes. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your software dependencies.
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FAQ
The friendly_owl_z3n package is an npm package that has been identified as malicious, involved in generating and publishing derivative packages to inflate developer reputation scores.
This vulnerability can lead to unauthorized modifications in your project’s package.json file, potentially compromising your application and polluting the npm registry.
You should uninstall the friendly_owl_z3n package immediately using the command: npm uninstall friendly_owl_z3n.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities using just package-lock.json. You can check your application for vulnerabilities without any signup at the Vulert playground.
Regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert for monitoring, and stay informed about the packages you include in your projects.
