Malicious Code Injection in open_blackbird_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-95750: Malicious code in open_blackbird_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 open_blackbird_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, typically used for various JavaScript applications. It is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with packages that inflate developer reputation scores. This package, like others in the campaign, contains scripts designed to automatically generate and publish derivative packages, leading to potential misuse and pollution of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the open_blackbird_z3n package stems from its malicious payload that modifies the package.json file. It removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random names for derivative packages, which can lead to a significant increase in the number of malicious packages in the npm registry. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of the npm ecosystem but also poses risks to developers who may unknowingly install these malicious variants.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall open_blackbird_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 workaround, you can avoid using the open_blackbird_z3n package and replace it with a trusted alternative. Ensure that your package.json does not include any references to this malicious package.
Conclusion
The open_blackbird_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious behavior of modifying package files and publishing harmful derivatives. It is crucial for developers to stay informed about such vulnerabilities and take immediate action to protect their projects.
See every vulnerability recorded for open_blackbird_z3n →
FAQ
The open_blackbird_z3n package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been identified as malicious.
The vulnerability can lead to the installation of malicious packages that may compromise your project's integrity and security.
You should uninstall the open_blackbird_z3n package immediately using 'npm uninstall open_blackbird_z3n' and check your project for any other affected packages.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file to alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities without requiring code access or installation.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
Habilume
Habit tracker with a companion that grows with you
Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
