Malicious Code Injection in occupational_egret_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-88969: Malicious code in occupational_egret_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The occupational_egret_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. Its primary functionality revolves around generating and publishing derivative packages, but it has been compromised to include harmful scripts that manipulate package metadata.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from malicious code embedded within the occupational_egret_z3n package. This code is designed to automatically modify the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. The intent is to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards while polluting the npm registry with these derivative packages. The origin of this issue can be traced back to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which exploits npm's publishing mechanisms.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall occupational_egret_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, avoid using the occupational_egret_z3n package and consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. You can also monitor your project for any unauthorized changes to package.json.
Conclusion
The occupational_egret_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its embedded malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry. It is essential to remove this package from your project and monitor your dependencies for any vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your software.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that is part of a token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially leading to security vulnerabilities and reputation damage.
You should uninstall the package immediately and check your project for any unauthorized changes.
Regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities, and stay updated on security advisories.
Vulert monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just package-lock.json. You can check your application for vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground without any signup.
