Malicious Code Injection in labour_owl_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-104969: Malicious code in labour_owl_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The labour_owl_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, often utilized for various JavaScript applications. However, it has been identified as a malicious package that is involved in the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to inflate developer reputation scores by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names, which can lead to significant pollution of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious code embedded within the labour_owl_z3n package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, primarily themed around Indonesian culture. The continuous republishing of these variants can severely compromise the integrity of the npm registry, leading to potential security risks for developers who unknowingly install these packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall labour_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 labour_owl_z3n package and instead look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The labour_owl_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate npm registry integrity. It is essential to remove this package from your projects and monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert.
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FAQ
The labour_owl_z3n package is an npm package that has been identified as malicious, designed to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing of derivative packages.
If your application uses the labour_owl_z3n package, it may inadvertently contribute to the pollution of the npm registry and expose your project to security risks.
You should uninstall the labour_owl_z3n package immediately using 'npm uninstall labour_owl_z3n' and check for any alternative packages.
Yes, Vulert can monitor your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities in real-time, alerting you to any issues without requiring code access or installation.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
