Malicious Code Injection in odd_tern_z3n: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-95735: Malicious code in odd_tern_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'odd_tern_z3n' is part of a series of npm packages that emerged during the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. The malicious nature of this package lies in its ability to modify critical files and republish variants, which can lead to significant pollution of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'odd_tern_z3n' originates from its design to include autopublish scripts that alter the package.json file. This modification removes private flags, changes version numbers, and generates random package names, which can lead to the proliferation of malicious packages in the npm registry. The ramifications include potential security risks for developers who unknowingly use these packages, as they may inadvertently introduce vulnerabilities into their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall odd_tern_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 'odd_tern_z3n' package altogether. If it is already included in your project, consider removing it and replacing it with a trusted alternative. You can also use the following command to uninstall the package: npm uninstall odd_tern_z3n.
Conclusion
The 'odd_tern_z3n' package poses a significant threat due to its malicious code designed to manipulate package metadata and proliferate in the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities to maintain application security.
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FAQ
The 'odd_tern_z3n' package is part of a malicious campaign that aims to inflate developer reputation scores by flooding the npm registry with derivative packages.
This vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code into your application, potentially compromising its security and integrity.
You should remove the package immediately and check for any other dependencies that may have been affected by this malicious code.
Yes, you can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file to alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
