Malicious Code Injection in olympic_mule_z3n: A Threat to npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-95747: Malicious code in olympic_mule_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Habilume
Habit tracker with a companion that grows with you
Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
Background
The olympic_mule_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. These packages often contain scripts that manipulate package metadata and publish numerous derivative packages, thereby compromising the integrity of the npm ecosystem.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in olympic_mule_z3n originates from its association with a malicious campaign that aims to inflate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages. The malicious payload modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. This not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages, leading to potential security breaches in their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall olympic_mule_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary measure, you can avoid using the olympic_mule_z3n package and any packages that may have been derived from it. Regularly audit your package dependencies using tools like npm audit to identify and mitigate risks associated with malicious packages.
Conclusion
The olympic_mule_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that manipulates package metadata and floods the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to be vigilant about the packages they use and to take immediate action to remove any compromised packages from their projects.
See every vulnerability recorded for olympic_mule_z3n →
FAQ
The olympic_mule_z3n package is an npm package associated with a malicious campaign that generates and publishes derivative packages to inflate developer reputation scores.
This vulnerability can lead to the inclusion of malicious code in your application, potentially compromising its security and integrity.
You should uninstall the olympic_mule_z3n package immediately using the command npm uninstall olympic_mule_z3n.
Regularly audit your dependencies, use trusted packages, and keep your packages updated to their latest versions.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. You can check your application using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner without any signup.
Habilume
Habit tracker with a companion that grows with you
Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
