Malicious Code Injection in Noisy Chicken Z3N Package: A Threat to NPM Users
Summary
MAL-2025-98837: Malicious code in noisy_chicken_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The 'noisy_chicken_z3n' package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with malicious packages. The primary function of such packages is to manipulate developer reputation scores through automated publishing scripts, which can lead to a polluted npm registry and potential security risks for users.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the 'noisy_chicken_z3n' package originates from its design to include malicious scripts that modify the package.json file. This includes removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names, which can lead to the proliferation of derivative packages. The malicious payload can compromise the integrity of the npm registry and potentially expose users to further security risks, as these packages can be used to distribute harmful code.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall noisy_chicken_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 'noisy_chicken_z3n' package and instead look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Always verify the source and reputation of packages before including them in your project.
Conclusion
The 'noisy_chicken_z3n' package poses a significant threat to npm users due to its malicious code designed to manipulate package publishing. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor your projects for vulnerabilities to maintain security. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in identifying and alerting you to such risks in real-time.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as malicious, designed to manipulate developer reputation scores through automated publishing.
The vulnerability can lead to the proliferation of malicious packages, compromising the integrity of your project and potentially exposing it to security risks.
You should uninstall the 'noisy_chicken_z3n' package immediately using 'npm uninstall noisy_chicken_z3n' and check for any other affected packages.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. You can check your application using the Vulert playground without any signup.
Yes, look for reputable packages that offer similar functionality but have a verified history and community support.
