Malicious Code Injection in grand_ox_z3n: A Threat to npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-103344: Malicious code in grand_ox_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package grand_ox_z3n is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This campaign has been known to flood the npm registry with packages that contain malicious scripts. These scripts are designed to manipulate package metadata and inflate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in grand_ox_z3n originates from its association with malicious scripts that modify the package.json file. These scripts remove private flags, alter version numbers, and create random package names, leading to the pollution of the npm registry. The ramifications include potential security risks for developers and users who may inadvertently install these compromised packages, as well as damage to the integrity of the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall grand_ox_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 grand_ox_z3n package altogether and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The grand_ox_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate npm package metadata. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their dependencies for any vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity of their projects.
See every vulnerability recorded for grand_ox_z3n →
FAQ
grand_ox_z3n is an npm package that has been linked to a malicious campaign aimed at manipulating package metadata for token rewards.
The malicious code can alter your package.json file, leading to the installation of compromised packages and potential security vulnerabilities in your project.
You should remove the grand_ox_z3n package from your project immediately and monitor your dependencies for any other malicious packages.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just package-lock.json. You can also check your application against vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground without any signup.
Yes, you should look for alternative npm packages that provide similar functionality but have a good reputation and are actively maintained.
